Justice S C Sen To Head Telecom Dispute Tribunal

Chief Justice A S Anand has recommended Justice S C Sen, a retired Supreme Court judge, for appointment as the chairman of the proposed Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). A formal announcement, however, is yet to be made.

The other two members have, however, not been finalised but it is learnt that Department of Telecom Services (DTS) secretary P S Saran is one of the candidates being discussed for the post of secretary. The other member will be a candidate with specialisation in finance. Sources said that the name will be finalised in the next few days.

Justice Sen retired as a Supreme Court judge in December 1997 and is presently in the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum.

 

Meanwhile, the government is also finalising the name of the candidate who would succeed Saran as secretary DTS who retires on May 31. The present member (production) R N Goyal, who will be the seniormost Indian telecom service officer once Saran retires, is said to be a favourite. But sources did not rule out the possibility of appointment of an administrative service officer keeping in mind the corporatisation of DTS which is expected to take place next year.

The ministry has also forwarded the names of N R Mokhariwale, the present advisor (operations), and N P Dhamania, member (technology) for appointment as members. Apart from Saran, N K Sinha, member (technology), is also due to retire.

Meanwhile, the Public Enterprises Selection Board is conducting interviews for appointment as chairman of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.

Communications minister had earlier said that the TDSAT would be in place by April 15. But due to confusion over the salary that the chairman would get, the appointments have been delayed.

The government proposes to set up TDSAT as part of the revamping exercise of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Act, 2000, which got the President's assent, provides for the establishment of the TDSAT for adjudicating disputes between the licensor and licencee, between service providers and will also be responsible for resolving disputes between a service provider and consumers. TDSAT will also hear disputes of any appeal from the direction, decision or order of the TRAI.