Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director-General Jiji Thomson's promotion has been put on hold by the Central Government as he has been charge-sheeted in the palmolein import scam.

Presently Thomson is working as an Additional Secretary. The Central Government has decided to give promotion to 23 IAS officials in Thomson's batch.

Thomson, who was the managing director of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation when the scam took place, is one of the seven prime accused in the  palmolein case. The case is under trial and Thomson is facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Though the Keral government decided to withdraw the case, it is yet to file an application in the court in this regard.