An inquiry has been launched into the appointment of Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) CEO and Managing Director G.Y.V. Victor, after allegations of irregularities surfaced.
The investigation is being done by the Chief Vigilance Officer of Visakhapatnam Port Authority Pradeep Kumar, who is also the CVO of DCIL, as the dredging major has been taken over by a consortium of four ports — Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Paradip Port Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Deendayal Port Trust.
One of the major issues that is being investigated is whether Mr. Victor was earlier dismissed from service by DCIL. It is learnt that the probe team has found an old document that claimed that Mr. Victor was dismissed from service in 2000, when he was working as the third officer in a dredger of DCIL.
This was reportedly not disclosed during his interview and appoinment for his current post. As per the company rules, a dismissed officer or employee cannot apply for any position in the company or be appointed.
‘Allegations baseless’
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Victor agreed that he was dismissed from service, but at that time he was a floating staff of the company.
The service rules of floating staff or seafarers are governed by the Maritime Union and are different from the rules for shore-based jobs. “At that time I was a floating staff. Now, I am in a shore-based job, the service rules for which are quite different. The board which recruited me for the present position was aware of it,” said Mr. Victor.
He said that in 2000, when he was working on a dredger, he had applied for study leave to pursue his Ph.D. The study leave was denied, but he still continued to stay on leave to complete his research. Since he did not respond to the company’s demand to join, he was dismissed from service.
Some other allegations are also being investigated, which Mr. Victor claimed were baseless.
Veracity of document
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Pradeep Kumar said once the investigation is over and the authenticity of the documents in question is proved, a report would be sent to the Ministry for its decision and necessary action.
