Panel to spot Air-India CMD to meet on Wednesday

 According to official sources, the search committee has already selected 12 candidates in an informal meeting. The committee comprises chairman of the Public Sector Enterprises Board (PSEB), Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Cabinet Secretary.

 Interestingly, the committee has expanded the scope of entry by allowing officers of the level of joint secretary in the central government to apply for the post. Generally only officials of additional secretary rank are eligible for the post of CMD for a public sector enterprise.

 Currently, Sunil Arora, the CMD of Indian Airlines, is holding the additional charge of the managing director of A-I. Sources said that Arora , a 1980 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer of joint secretary rank, is a strong contender for the post.

 A-I has not had a full-time managing director for the past two years, while the post of CMD has been lying vacant for the last four years. The lack of stable management has been one of the causes behind the poor performance of the airline and the frequent employee related problems that ails it.

 The airline