Bill to amend TRAI Act introduced in Lok Sabha

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jul 11, 2014 at 4:52 PM Updated On : Jul 11, 2014 at 4:54 PM

New Delhi, July 11 :

A bill to amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act was introduced in the Lok Sabha Friday amid ruckus.

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority Amendment Bill will pave way for the appointment of former TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra as principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The bill replaces an ordinance brought by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, to amend the act which prohibited its chairman and members from taking up any other job in the central or state governments after demitting office.

Misra is a 1967-batch retired IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre and his appointment as principal secretary will be co-terminus with the term of the prime minister or till further orders, according to an order issued by the ministry of personnel.

The bill met opposition from Congress and other opposition parties, who questioned why the government was changing regulations for one person.

“This is the first time a bill is bring brought for the appointment of one person,” Sougata Roy of Trinamool Congress said opposing the bill when it was introduced in the lower house.

Talking to reporters outside parliament, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said: “We are not against Nripendra Mishra but we object to the manner in which he is being appointed.”

Sources from the Congress indicated it may reach out to other opposition parties for opposing the bill in the lower house.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has four MPs in the lower house, also said it will oppose the bill.

“AAP MPs will strongly oppose TRAI Amendment Bill introduced in LS (Lok Sabha) today (Friday), seeking ratification to ordinance passed to appoint Nripendra Misra,” AAP said in a comment on its official twitter account.

(IANS)