New Delhi : In a significant administrative move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted vigilance oversight in the public sector energy domain, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has approved the appointment of Shri Ved Prakash Verma, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), to hold the additional charge of Chief Vigilance Officer at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), Mangaluru.
According to an Office Memorandum issued by the DoPT on May 25, 2026, Shri Verma, a senior Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officer of the 1995 batch, will assume the additional responsibility for a period of six months, or until the appointment of a regular CVO at MRPL, or until further orders are issued by the competent authorityโwhichever occurs earlier.
The appointment follows a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through its communication dated May 7, 2026. The proposal was subsequently examined and approved by the competent authority under established vigilance administration procedures.
Ensuring Continuity in Vigilance Administration
MRPL, one of Indiaโs leading petroleum refining and petrochemical companies, plays a crucial role in the nationโs energy security and industrial growth. As a major refining entity, the company handles large-scale operations involving significant public investment and strategic infrastructure.
The assignment of an additional vigilance charge is intended to ensure continuity in monitoring organizational integrity, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and the effective implementation of anti-corruption measures during the interim period before a permanent appointment is made.
Role of the Chief Vigilance Officer
The Chief Vigilance Officer serves as the primary authority responsible for vigilance administration within a public sector organization. The position involves overseeing preventive vigilance measures, investigating complaints related to misconduct and corruption, promoting transparency in decision-making processes, and ensuring adherence to ethical governance standards.
The CVO also acts as a key liaison between the organization and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), facilitating the implementation of vigilance guidelines and maintaining accountability across administrative and operational functions.
Experienced Leadership
Shri Ved Prakash Verma currently serves as the Chief Vigilance Officer of HPCL, one of India’s largest state-owned oil and gas companies. With extensive administrative and vigilance experience, his additional assignment at MRPL is expected to strengthen oversight mechanisms and support effective governance practices within the organization.
Governmentโs Administrative Mechanism
The DoPTโs EO(CVO) Division issued the order and circulated it to various stakeholders, including the Central Vigilance Commission, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and relevant government departments.
Such arrangements involving additional charge assignments are a common administrative practice within Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). They are designed to prevent vacancies in critical oversight positions and ensure that vigilance functions continue without disruption until a regular incumbent is appointed.
The latest decision underscores the governmentโs commitment to maintaining robust vigilance systems, strengthening corporate governance standards, and promoting transparency and accountability across strategic public sector enterprises.
