Panjim: The resumes have been received and perused and the first round of interviews is scheduled to take place sometime on January 17, 2015.
The post: CEO of the Investment promotion board. The salary for the right candidate, Rs 24 lakh per annum for a period of five years. His or her mandate would be to attract the right kind of investment into the state that would help generate employment for 50,000 people and bring in investment worth Rs 25,000 crore. This of course requires an individual of capability and foresight. One who has achieved much in the past. This is of course in an ideal world.
Reality however is quite harsh. The Herald has access to information which confirms the fact that the candidates who have put forward their candidature for the post of the CEO are not from the top draw of the corporate world.
According to a source who has his ear close to the ground said “It is appalling when one looks at the kind of resumes that have been received. I think we have to go through the entire exercise all over again and perhaps even hire the services of a consultant to recruit someone who has the experience and the capability to deliver the desired results.”
According to him the candidates who had applied for the post included a number of lecturers, material management professionals, a Director/ CEO of a Goa based company as well as mid level executives from companies based in Goa.
The source who provided the Herald with the information said that not one of the candidates had an MBA from a reputable business school like the IIM.
He said “It is important that the CEO have an image of a man of repute, of knowledge, someone who can meet with the Ratan Tata’s and the Ambani brother’s and speak without being intimidated and present the points in a prescient manner. I don’t see any of these people capable of doing that.”
Another prominent entrepreneur who has the inside track of what is happening in the Investment Promotion Board felt that it would make sense to hire an ex bureaucrat because he or she would be aware of the rules and regulations and more importantly of the political intrigues which would invariably pop up.
He said “A corporate high achiever would not be able to handle these pressure and seriously why should he. In addition the monies for the seriously talented to throw their hat into the ring is low. I hope it works out fine and they find someone who will be able to push things forward, otherwise we are going to be in serious trouble.”
The selection of the candidate has already been delayed with the process earlier scheduled to begin in December.
The selection of the candidate will be undertaken by a three member committee which will include the senior executive of GCCI, CII and GSIA. The selected candidate would have to go around the country presenting the benefits present in investing in the state. If a candidate with the right credential is not found then this exercise will be conducted again.
The next ten days should possibly provide everyone with a clear picture of who could emerge as a leading candidate to head the IPB.
