The government has intensified its search for a new chief for the national highways authority of India (NHAI) to fill the vacancy which came up several months ago. The union ministry of surface roadways and transportation has already published an advertisement inviting eligible candidates for the top post. The ministry has received nine applications so far with the last date for applying being February 21.

The ministry will shortlist eligible candidates and forward their applications to the appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC). According to ACC sources, the best among the lot will be appointed chairman of NHAI after getting the eligibility clearance from the chief vigilance commission (CVC), cabinet secretary, surface roadways and transportation secretary and other concerned secretaries. The decision could be announced early next month, they said.

Most of the Ratna public sector undertakings (PSUs) are functioning with their chairman and managing director (CMD) posts vacant. Few acting CMDs have already retired and few are nearing superannuation. Without administrative heads the PSUs’ growth is getting retarded with crucial decisions left hanging. According to the sources, CVC clearances have been the major hurdle for these high-profile appointments. A highly placed source in Coal India Limted (CIL) says it is very difficult for the PSU to function without a CMD. Like NHAI and CIL, Indian Oil Corporation too is functioning for the past many months without a head.