After three days of interviews, the committee formed to select the next chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has shortlisted at least four names. These are Ministry of Finance Secretary Arun Ramanathan, Consumer Affairs Secretary Yashwant Bhave, Telecom Commission Member K Sridhara and former BSNL Director (Finance) SD Saxena.
In a meeting held on March 9, the committee selected 13 candidates out of the 26 applications received. The surprise element, however, remains the absence of the much expected nomination of Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura.
With the model code of conduct for the coming Lok Sabha elections in force, the government will have to get the final name approved by the Election Commission.
The 13 shortlisted names also included Secretary of Heavy Industry Satyanarayana, former Telecom Commission Member (Services) GS Grover and HCL BPO Vice President-Technology Pulapaka Venkata Ramadas.
According to sources, over the past few days six persons were interviewed out of which four have been shortlisted.
Former Trai Chairman Nripendra Misra retired from his post on March 22 after which Trai member AK Sawhney was named the interim chairman.
