The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has decided to permit eligible applicants from National and State Level Cooperative Federations to apply for Board-level posts in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the “Private Category”, subject to fulfillment of applicable eligibility conditions.
A communication in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Cooperation to 18 National Cooperative Federations, based on the letter received from PESB. According to the letter, the decision applies to applicants only from National and State Level Cooperative Federations who meet prescribed eligibility norms. The move is expected to expand the talent pool for CPSE board positions and strengthen institutional linkages between the cooperative sector and central public enterprises.
The letter from the Ministry of Cooperation was marked to National Federation of Fishermen’s Cooperatives Ltd (FISHCOPFED), National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd (NCDFI), National Labour Cooperatives Federation of India Ltd (NLCF), National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks & Credit Societies Ltd (NAFCUB), Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).
Significance for the cooperative sector
The decision is significant because it formally recognizes the managerial experience and domain expertise that exists within national and state cooperative institutions and provides their senior professionals with a pathway to leadership roles in Central Public Sector Enterprises.
By opening access to Board-level posts in CPSEs, PESB is expected to widen the pool of potential candidates, encourage greater mobility of talent between the cooperative sector and public enterprises, and foster stronger institutional linkages between the two segments of the economy.
It also signals growing acknowledgement of the cooperative sector’s role in economic and social development, while creating opportunities for cooperative leaders to contribute to corporate governance and strategic decision-making in CPSEs.
