Surprisingly, Chandra is not an isolated case. A number of high profile bureaucrats are allegedly making a fortune from their current/past presence in the bureaucracy/ministry and affiliation with regulators and policy makers. V. K. Shunglu, who is now serving PwC, had served as the comptroller and auditor general of India, the apex body having sole constitutional rights to audit independently. The same goes with B. B. Tandon, once chief election commissioner, secretary of the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Personnel, additional secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and also a member of the SEBI board. He is now on the advisory board of PwC.
Pradip Baijal, former Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) set up Noesis Strategic Consulting Company post his retirement for providing ‘advisory’ services. Ex-Indian Oil Chief M. S. Ramachandran is now chairman of Cals Refineries. R. V. Shahi, a former bureaucrat, is now chairman of total power solutions firm Energo. S. K. Roongta, former Chairman, Steel Authority of India Ltd., joined as MD of Vedanta Aluminium in April this year. These are crying examples of bureaucrats and PSU heads who are getting themselves into such positions where private companies can use them for unfair advantage. In fact, dozens of ex-bureaucrats and PSU executives become lobbyists and advisors in India. Similar is the case in the US too – as per estimates, around 43% of ex-Congressmen since 1998 are registered lobbyists. President Barack Obama tried to reduce the influence of ex-Congressmen on the Senate, a phenomenon called ‘revolving door’ – but was strongly contradicted by bellicose donors of the Democrats. He was worried about ex-Congressmen; while in India, people like Naresh Chandra don both hats with aplomb!
The government needs to monitor existing and previous bureaucrats with affiliations outside and take action. In the case of Naresh Chandra, he should not be in a position where there is a conflict of interest between his roles in private and public domains. He should take a cue from Nandan Nilekani, who ensured that he gave up his position at Infosys before taking over UID. It always pays for the greater good to lead by example.
Pradip Baijal, former Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) set up Noesis Strategic Consulting Company post his retirement for providing ‘advisory’ services. Ex-Indian Oil Chief M. S. Ramachandran is now chairman of Cals Refineries. R. V. Shahi, a former bureaucrat, is now chairman of total power solutions firm Energo. S. K. Roongta, former Chairman, Steel Authority of India Ltd., joined as MD of Vedanta Aluminium in April this year. These are crying examples of bureaucrats and PSU heads who are getting themselves into such positions where private companies can use them for unfair advantage. In fact, dozens of ex-bureaucrats and PSU executives become lobbyists and advisors in India. Similar is the case in the US too – as per estimates, around 43% of ex-Congressmen since 1998 are registered lobbyists. President Barack Obama tried to reduce the influence of ex-Congressmen on the Senate, a phenomenon called ‘revolving door’ – but was strongly contradicted by bellicose donors of the Democrats. He was worried about ex-Congressmen; while in India, people like Naresh Chandra don both hats with aplomb!
The government needs to monitor existing and previous bureaucrats with affiliations outside and take action. In the case of Naresh Chandra, he should not be in a position where there is a conflict of interest between his roles in private and public domains. He should take a cue from Nandan Nilekani, who ensured that he gave up his position at Infosys before taking over UID. It always pays for the greater good to lead by example.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Best B School
IndiaManagement Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Best B School
IndiaManagement Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
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