Even if the Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC) set up by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is in the process of selecting a new candidate for the post of Chairman & CEO, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), the incumbent Arun Kumar Singh is making all efforts to get yet another extension.

According to the sources, Arun Kumar Singh was installed as new Chairman, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in December 2022 for a period of three years after retiring from the post of CMD, BPCL. His three-year tenure as Chairman, ONGC was coming to an end in December 2025. Yet, he was given another extension for a period of one year till December 6, 2026.

Now, he is said to be exerting all his influence to ensure an extension for the second time, queering the pitches of other aspirants applying for the same. The process of selecting a new Chairman, ONGC at a snail's pace corroborates that something is cooking in the Ministry.

Two tactics/ strategies work very well for him: its either a foreign travel with minister/ ministry officials just prior to the end of his tenure or he highlights and starts some project which needs some more time to finish so as he is granted a post or extension.

It was a trip to Brazil when his tenure as CMD BPCL was coming to an end in August 2022 and immediately after that he was awarded the ONGC Chairman’s job. Very unusual in the CPSE environment! Again, last year just before his three year term at ONGC was coming to end, he got an extravagant Convention Center constructed in Goa using ONGC’s funds to host India Energy Week and showcased it to get a one year extension as Chairman ONGC. It’s another matter that the Convention Center has been constructed in a place which does not have a clear access road and is not suitable for big events or conventions. Now again, it is being highlighted that ONGC would create Strategic Gas Reserves, only if he remains at the helm of ONGC. Who knows a foreign trip would come his way to get another extension?

It goes without saying that these travels, tours, workshops, seminars and conventions are meaningful for the companies and industries, but in this case it looks more meaningful for this manipulative individual.

But what has he actually done in the last four years in terms of exploration or production. Nothing!

It’s sad that in a country of 147 crore plus population, the government can’t find a person fit to head a National Major E&P company like ONGC