New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS): Reacting to the controversy over the petroleum ministry seeking a tenure extension for Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) chairman Sudhir Vasudeva, the ministry clarified Wednesday it has referred the issue back to the cabinet's appointments panel alongwith with the complete vigilance profile of Vasudeva.

"Considering that only a few days were left for his (Vasudeva) retirement, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas on recommendation of the Secretary, Petroleum, referred the matter back to the Department of Personnel and Training with the complete vigilance profile of Shri Sudhir Vasudeva with a request to place the matter before the ACC (Cabinet Committee on Appointments)," the ministry said here in a statement.

The statement denied certain news items in this regard, saying these were "not based on facts".

Media reports said Wednesday that when the DoPT asked the ministry about Vasudeva's clearance by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which had pointed out six cases pending against him, it was told that it will be obtained post-facto.

Vasudeva has been chairman of the state-run explorer since October 2011.