PIL filed against BSNL-MTNL CMD selection

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Sanchar Nigam Executive Association and non-government organization Telecom Watchhdog have jointly filed public interest litigation in Delhi High Court on Wednesday, seeking to quash the selection process started by Department of Telecom for the post of Chairman and Managing Director in BSNL and MTNL.

“We have filed PIL against selection process started by DoT. It has been completely manipulated and is not in line with the recommendation made by Sam Pitroda panel for restructuring of BSNL,” said a senior member of SNEA India who did not want to be named.

The SNEA member alleged that the eligibility criteria was repeatedly manipulated and finally tuned in a manner so that only an Indian Telecom Service officer working with a government department gets selected.

According to information available with this member, search panel has selected Rakesh Kumar Upadhyay, chairman and managing director, TCIL for the post of CMD BSNL.

However, the same information could not be confirmed from the Department of Telecom at the time this report was published.

The member mentioned that SNEA is in favour of fair selection of any person who can withstand political pressures and is not influenced by any vendor.

“It should be the best talent from industry as recommended by Sam Pitroda panel,” said the member.