Independent directors play the role of non-executive directors. They are not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the company but they are expected to ensure good corporate governance and protect shareholder interests.

Sources say that the then DPE Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey (Retd IAS: 1987: OD) had fixed a target for himself to fill up at least 50 per cent positions in fast-forward mode by December 2024 but frequent additional burdens of responsibilities as Finance Secretary, DOPT Secretary, Revenue Secretary constrained him to execute his plans. 

Similarly, the incumbent Secretary (additional charge) Arunish Chawla (IAS: 1992: BH) too is heavily burdened with the works of the Ministry of Culture in addition to his regular charge as DIPAM Secretary. DPE has been constantly under ad hoc arrangement since the retirement of  Ali Raza Rizvi (HP: 1988) in July last year. 

Further, a section of who’s who says that off-late a kind of centralised political clearance has been playing a major role in the appointments of Independent Director which also adds to the constraints and delays in such appointments.