Selection process for new BSNL, MTNL CMDs challenged in HC

Telecom Watchdog, an NGO, has challenged the process for selection of new CMDs for BSNL and MTNL before the Delhi High Court, alleging that Telecom Minister A Raja is trying to push his favourites into the posts.

The petition will be heard tomorrow by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Mishra and Justice Manmohan.

The NGO alleged that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has "arbitrarily" changed the selection criteria formulated by a Sam Pitroda-led committee appointed by the Prime Minister for appointment of eligible persons to top posts in the public sector.

Telecom Watchdog also alleged that Raja was trying to put TCIL Chairman and Managing Director R K Upadhyay at the helm of BSNL as CMD by changing the selection process and bypassing the selection criteria formulated by the Pitroda Committee.

"The petitioners brought this arbitrary change to the notice of the government on October 1, 2010, clearly pointing out the involvement of Telecom Minister A Raja and his trusted man A K Chandolia behind this move and their ulterior motive to select one R K Upadhyay (CMD, TCIL) for the post of CMD-BSNL," the NGO said in its petition.

The NGO further contended after the government stopped the interview process for the two posts through the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), it changed its mind at the last moment and formed a six-member search panel.

Telecom Watchdog alleged that the terms of reference of the search panel were also altered later and the "DoT arbitrarily changed the eligibility norms in a secret manner and sent individual letters on September 28, 2010, to a few candidates (about 12-15) inviting them for an interview on October 3, 2010, on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games.

"The whole process of short listing was fabricated by the bureaucracy in such a manner that just a handful of officers, bereft of any outstanding track record, were called for interview," the NGO submitted.