NMDC Director (Technical) N K Nanda has been granted another three-month extension till May 31 by Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma on an ad hoc basis pending vigilance clearance.
The first five-year term of Nanda (53) on the board of the country's largest iron ore miner ended in November. He had been granted a three-month extension in December.
While Nanda is eligible to be considered for another term until he reaches the age of superannuation, an extension requires approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
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With clearance from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) awaited, the Steel Ministry could not recommend Nanda's case to the ACC.
"Nanda's CVC clearance is still pending. However, he has been given another three-month extension by the Steel Minister on an ad-hoc basis. The order has been handed out to him," an official said.
Nanda has more than 27 years of experience in the area of mining and has served in NMDC in various positions since 1999.
While the ministry concerned submits a report on a candidate's performance, which in Nanda's case was found to be "eminently satisfactory," the Steel Ministry has no say on the vigilance issue.
Nanda has been in trouble following allegations that he had given away more money than due to a project contractor for NMDC's upcoming Nagarnar steel plant. The CVC has reportedly asked the Steel Minister to fix the responsibility of Nanda and his finance counterpart, S Thiagrajan.
A ministry official, however, had said no wrongdoing by Nanda could be found in papers related to awarding of the project.
Nanda could not be reached even after repeated attempts.
