Question : APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF MTNL

(a) the procedure laid down for appointment of Chairman in MTNL;

(b) whether the Government have received the recommendations of the Public Enterprises Selection Board with regard to the appointment of the next Chairman of the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited after the present Chairman retires;

(c) if so, the decision taken thereon;

(d) whether the Government have accepted the said recommendations;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether some multi-national companies are lobbying for choice of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Chairman`s post; and
(g) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) The action for filling up the Board level posts in the various CPSUs including that of MTNL is initiated 12 months before the occurence of the vacancy. Earlier this limit was 6 months before the date of vacancy. The job description indicating the required qualification/ experience etc. for the post as also the various parameters/ criteria relating to age, pay etc., for determining the eligibility of candidates are duly circulated amongst the various agencies including the Central PSUs. Based on the eligibility criteria and experience etc., a short list of candidates to be called for the interview is drawn up. After assessing the performance etc. of the candidates in the interview when other input like the view of the Secretary of the administrative ministry concerned and the CR dossiers are also available, recommendations are made by PESB keeping in view the guidelines laid down in the Govt. of India`s resolution dated 3.3.87 as also other relevant instructions issued by DOPT from time to time . The post of CMD, MTNL was, accordingly, circulated by the PESB. The selection meeting was held in the PESB on 23.5.2000 and the Board`s recommendations were received by the Department of Telecom Services on the same day.

(b) Yes, Sir.

(c) to (e): Requisite steps have been taken to finalise the Government decision in this regard.

(f) No, Sir. No multi-national companies are lobbying for choice of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. Chairman`s post as no such instance/information has come to the notice of this office.

(g) In view of (f) above question does not arise.