The Hindu Business Line : Nripendra Misra short-listed for TRAI chief post

THE former Secretary of the Department of Telecom (DoT), Mr Nripendra Misra, could be the next Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as he is among the candidates short-listed for the post.

The existing TRAI board, including its high profile Chairman, Mr Pradip Baijal, ends its term in March-April this year. Mr G.D. Gaiha, Chairman, Telecommunications Consultant of India Ltd (TCIL)'s, name is doing the rounds to replace Dr D.P.S. Seth as a Member.

Government sources said a final decision will be taken once the entire process is completed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Mr Misra's name has been suggested to cushion the discomfort between the TRAI and the Ministry of Communication, which had widened in the recent months over the issue of access deficit charges. Mr Misra, a 1967 IAS officer, had worked in close quarters with the Communications and IT Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, as DoT Secretary and had assisted in formulating some key policy decisions including the Broadband Policy.

While Mr Baijal's tenure ends on March 21, the term of two members — Dr Seth and Mr P.K. Sarma — is scheduled to end in April. Dr Seth, who was earlier the Chairman of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Member, Telecom Commission, is expected to take up an assignment with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the international body promoted by the UN for setting standards and policy guidelines in the area of communications.

Mr Gaiha, who is being looked at for being part of the new TRAI team as a Member, was earlier in the running for the post of Chairman of BSNL. His candidature was however rejected on the grounds that he had not completed compulsory years of service as Chairman of TCIL. Mr Gaiha, who was previously Director (Technical), MTNL, has since completed the mandatory term in TCIL and is in line for the new assignment with TRAI.