New Delhi : The government has initiated the process to look for a successor to head the telcom regulatory body TRAI, whose present chairman Nripendra Misra retires on March 21, 2009.

Department of telecom has sought permission from the cabinet secretariat to constitute a search committee for the selection of TRAI chairperson.

In a letter to cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar, Telecom secretary Sidhharth Behura has sought approval for the constitution of this committee which will be headed by cabinet secretary and the members would be principal secretary to Prime Minister, secretary (personnel) and secretary (telecom).

The search committee of each department is always constituted prior to the selection for all appointments to the post of chief executives as per a Department of Personnel and Training order.

Telecom Minister A Raja has already given his consent to the setting up of such a committee.
The purpose of the selection committee is to interview the candidates from a wide range of fields and ensure involvement of senior officials in selection to the key posts and also do wide advertisement for attracting the suitable talent for the crucial appointment.

As per TRAI Act, the telecom regulator will have a chairman, two whole time members and two part time members appointed by the Central Government.

The tenure of TRAI chairperson is three years.