The Hindu Business Line : TRAI board comprises only 2 members now

New guidelines
The Authority said that as long as the board comprises three or less than three members, the quorum to transaction of business for a meeting will be two members.
Until now, the quorum for a TRAI board meeting was three.

New Delhi , July 13

With the Government delaying the appointment of the members of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Chairman of the regulatory body has assumed powers to take all decisions along with another board member.

In an amendment to the existing guidelines, the TRAI said that as long as the board comprises three or less than three members, the quorum to transaction of business for a meeting will be two members. Until now, the quorum for a TRAI board meeting was three.

TRAI ACT

As per the TRAI Act, 1997, the Authority consists of a Chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members, appointed by the Central Government. The previous Chairperson and two whole-time members of the erstwhile Authority demitted office in March and April 2006. The tenure of the existing two part-time members is also coming to an end on July 14 . The Government has appointed a new Chairperson and one whole-time member.

However, appointment of the other whole-time member and the two part-time members is yet to be made by the Government.

"In effect, from July 15, 2006 only two Members (Chairperson and one whole-time member) will constitute the Authority. In the absence of appointment of one whole-time member or part-time member, the required quorum of Authority meeting, which is three members, would not be complete.

Circular

In order to avoid any delay in taking timely regulatory decisions by transacting businesses in the meetings of Authority, it is felt necessary to amend the existing regulation by prescribing a reduced quorum of only two members as and when the Authority comprises three or less than three members," said a TRAI circular. TRAI is looking at a number of crucial policy issues such as spectrum charges for 3G services, regulations for IPTV, convergence related issues, interconnect charges for SMS and roaming.

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