The ministry yesterday wrote to Oil and Natural Gas Corp that a disciplinary proceeding against Shankar is being contemplated.
"The competent authority in exercise of the powers conferred under ONGC Conduct, Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1994, has placed Shashi Shankar, Director (T&FS) ONGC, under suspension with immediate effect," the company said in a regulatory filing.
Shankar, who turns 54 on Monday, is the youngest director on the board of the nation's most profitable oil company. He was appointed Director (Technical and Field Services) on February 1 last year.