A.K. Jana’s candidature for PNGRB post under cloud
Jana recently retired as M.D. of Indraprastha Gas Limited
Last week, A.K. Jana, former managing director of Delhi-headquartered gas retailer Indraprastha Gas sent his CV to the oil ministry for a job at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).
Well-placed sources in the oil ministry tell us that Jana has managed to get his name shortlisted for the post of member at the PNGRB with the help of an Under Secretary, working with the Oil Ministry. Jana retired from GAIL last month and like many of his industry colleagues is aspiring for a post retirement job that pays well.
His candidature, however, has come under a cloud because of his alleged misconduct while he was the MD of IGL. Jana was accused of approving a payment of Rs. 50,000 to an organisation by IGL which organised a film festival in Telangana attended by his wife Aradhana Jana, as one of the jury members.
Jana had previously denied the allegations of using IGL money to promote his wife’s career. This publication has evidence which confirms that Jana lied/mislead everyone to escape punishment. Jana, being the top most authority at IGL back then approved payment of sponsorship to the organisers of a film festival in Telangana attended by his wife as a jury member. Jana, we also learnt mislead stock market watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by submitting a false/fabricates reply when he was questioned after it received complaints against him.
Jana’s act of using IGL money amounts to violation of SEBI rules of related party transaction as he was heading a listed company at that time.
Prabhat Singh, former CEO and MD of Petronet-LNG, India’s biggest gas importer, was also accused of using company money to promote the career of his daughters. Prabhat Singh, though eligible, was denied an extension as MD and CEO of PLL because of his conduct. The Delhi High Court ordered the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to conduct an inquiry following complaints against Prabhat Singh.
www.bharatvigilante.com has proof, which clearly show that Jana himself ordered/sanctioned payment of sponsorship money to the organisers of film festival in Telangana. IGL’s CSR department and it’s ethics committee failed to prevent the misconduct of it’s MD. Questions are now being raised over the integrity of Jana since he denied approving payment of sponsorship money in first place. Many calls made to Mr. Jana by www.bharatvigilante.com for his reaction/version, got not response.
“A man who was accused of using company money for personal benefit shouldn’t be allowed to hold an office at the regulator,” said an industry observer. “Integrity of a person holding an office at the regulatory body is paramount.” Will the oil ministry ignore Jana’s misconduct and let him appear for interview for a position at the PNGRB? We will know the answer in times to come…
