Govt. panel to choose new TRAI chairman by May 2012

New Delhi, Feb.20 (ANI): A high level search-cum-selection committee comprising of Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office Pulok Chatterjee, Secretary (Presonnel) P K Mishra, Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar and Advisor to Prime Minister Sam Pitroda will soon take a decision on who will be the next chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

According to a Department of Telecom (DoT) release, applications have been invited for the post of TRAI Chairman.

The position will fall vacant on the retirement of current TRAI Chairman J S Sarma in May.

Applications for the post have to be submitted by March 20, according to a public announcement.

According to sources, those in the fray include Member of the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal P K Rastogi, BMC Commissioner Subodh Kumar and DoT Member (Technology) Chandra Prakash.

An existing government employee will have to retire from the post before joining as TRAI Chairperson.

The appointment will be for three years, at the pay scale of Rs 3.75 lakh per month.

The new telecom regulator will take over at a time when the industry will be bracing for new 2G spectrum auctions.

The TRAI has to issue recommendations as per the Supreme Court directive that cancelled 122 telecom licences this month.

The new chairman will be closely involved in the implementation of the new National Telecom Policy which is likely to be out by the end of April this year.

Sarma, who has been TRAI Chairman since May 2009, retires on May 14, 2012. (ANI)