• CAG Bombshell: Unqualified Hires and Salary Scams at NFDC!
• Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) Exposes Massive Recruitment Scam at NFDC
• CAG Report Uncovers Favouritism, Unqualified Appointments, and Salary Irregularities
Unmesh Gujarathi |
Sprouts News Exclusive
In yet another explosive revelation, the Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed a shocking recruitment scam at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The latest Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report exposes blatant favouritism, procedural violations, and financial irregularities, reinforcing Sprouts as the only newspaper committed to exposing deep-rooted corruption.
• Improper Appointment of IT Head
One of the most glaring violations in the CAG report involves the appointment of Shri N.V. Sai Bharath Singamsetty as Head of IT, in direct breach of recruitment protocols:
Educational Ineligibility: The position required a BE/B.Tech in Computer Science/IT or an equivalent degree. However, Singamsetty possessed only a BSc in Computer Science and an MSc in Physics, which was improperly equated to a BE/B.Tech.
Lack of Required Experience: The position mandated seven years of post-qualification executive experience, which Singamsetty did not meet.
Questionable Academic Credentials: His MSc (Physics) degree was allegedly obtained from Acharya Nagarjuna University, which does not offer an MSc in Physics via distance mode.
Absence of Supporting Documents: No official experience certificates were provided to validate his claimed work experience.
More Qualified Candidates Rejected: Two candidates with 12 and 17 years of experience, along with the requisite qualifications, were waitlisted while Singamsetty was selected.
Unjustified Salary Hike: Despite his last known salary being Rs. 77,000 per month, NFDC offered him Rs. 1,50,000 per month, nearly doubling his pay without any negotiation.
• Favouritism in Film Programming Appointments
Another major irregularity flagged in the report is the recruitment of Ashwathy Nair (Gauri Nair):
Deviation from Application Process: Nair applied for the post of Film Programmer (International Cinema) but was instead appointed as Programming Head (Masterclasses & Panel Sessions)—a position she never applied for.
Lack of supporting documents: Her application lacked proof of experience in conducting classes, but this was neither verified nor rectified during the recruitment process.
Unjustified Promotion: Within months, she was given an additional charge as Head (Domestic Festival) without any transparent selection process.
More Qualified Candidate Ignored: A highly experienced applicant, who had previously worked as a Film Programmer (international cinema) at NFDC and curated IFFI (2018 & 2022), was rejected despite his superior qualifications.
Bias in Selection: Nair’s appointment, despite her lack of relevant experience, points to clear favoritism and procedural irregularities.
Lack of transparency: No interview minutes or justification documents were disclosed to explain why she was appointed to a different role.
Undocumented Discussion: Her personal file mentions her role in masterclasses was discussed, but no official records justify this decision.
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Absence of Competitive Selection: Among the four candidates who applied, the most experienced and academically qualified applicant was ignored in favour of a less qualified candidate.
No Clear Selection Criteria: NFDC failed to adhere to its standard hiring protocols, making the recruitment process highly questionable.
Possible Undue Favour: Evidence suggests that Nair’s selection and subsequent promotions were pre-planned, disregarding eligibility criteria, fair competition, and transparency.
• Key Officials Implicated in the Irregularities
The CAG report raises serious concerns about the involvement of top NFDC officials in these controversial appointments:
D. Ramakrishnan, GM (Personnel & Administration), played a crucial role in approving these irregular recruitments.
The Managing Director (MD) of NFDC may have supported or overlooked these decisions, though the extent of involvement remains unclear.
• A Deepening Scam?
The report also suggests that several other appointments were made under similarly questionable circumstances:
No Advertisements for Vacancies: In some cases, no official job postings were made yet candidates were recruited.
Double Salary Increments: Some newly appointed employees were later given steep salary hikes, raising concerns of deeper financial misconduct within NFDC.
• What’s Next?
The CAG has recommended disciplinary action against responsible officials and recovery of salaries paid to ineligible recruits. The revelations of widespread corruption and favouritism at NFDC demand urgent government intervention to ensure transparency and accountability in public sector recruitment.
• Will the Guilty Be Punished?
Will authorities take strict action against those involved in this massive scam, or will the irregular appointments be quietly swept under the rug? The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether NFDC is finally held accountable.
Once again, Sprouts, the only newspaper consistently exposing high-profile scams, brings to light another shocking case of corruption.