Two Keralites were selected to the Indian Petroleum and Explosives Safety Service (IPESS) this year.
Anil Kumar T. and Renjith P.A., hailing from Kozhikode and Thrissur districts respectively, both chemical engineers attached to FACT Cochin Division, have become the first to clear the prestigious examination from the State in 23 years.
R. Venugopal, the current head of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) Kerala, was the last person before them to enter the service from the State.
UPSC exam
The IPESS examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) every year is much popular among chemical engineers across the country.
Around 20 engineers from Kerala had attended the final interview for selection in 2017. However, it was in 2018 that the service was listed as cadre posts and elevated on par with civil service. The candidates should have at least three years experience in the field.
Anil Kumar (94th rank), hailing from Koyilandy in Kozhikode, was assistant manager (production) at the sulphuric acid plant of FACT, while Renjith (9th rank) was assistant manager (technical service) there.
The two have been appointed as Deputy Controllers of Explosives in PESO.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Anil Kumar said there was a general lack of awareness regarding IPESS as compared to civil services and other cadre posts.
“It is an administrative-cum-technical field comparable to the Indian Engineering Service or the Indian Railway Service. The selected candidates get posted in PESO in a rank similar to that of Deputy Collector,” he said.
‘Awareness needed’
He added that the candidates should be well aware of all safety aspects to clear the examination as PESO is the agency that issues safety licences to enterprises in the petroleum sector.
