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Thomas K. Thomas

`Remuneration not attractive enough'

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New Delhi Jan. 26 From complex telecom-related issues, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is now embroiled in dealing with another crisis, lack of adequate manpower. While TRAI has provision for 194 employees, more than 50 positions are lying vacant.

According to TRAI officials, the remuneration package being offered was not attractive enough, with the result officers are leaving for better opportunities in the corporate sector.

Losing out

TRAI officials were initially drafted from various Government departments on deputation for a period of two-three years. However, seeking extension of these officers proved to be time-consuming and ineffective.

"TRAI was constantly losing out on experienced officers on account of frequent repatriation of the personnel to their parent departments. Therefore, we formed a special cadre of officers trained in the field of telecom regulations who had the option of being absorbed permanently into the TRAI. However, many middle- and senior-level officers did not exercise the option of getting absorbed due to unattractive terms and conditions," said a TRAI official.

They said that the Government should allow TRAI to determine the terms and conditions of the employees, which will enable it to attract talent from non-Governmental sources as well.

Better remuneration

"TRAI is a specialised body, which requires expertise in different areas of telecommunications and therefore needs to attract persons not only from the Government but also from the market. At the very least, Trai should be able to offer remuneration being offered by public sector banks and PSUs to their employees," said the official.

Recently, two senior TRAI officers left the organisation. While Mr Rajendra Singh, who held the post of Secretary has taken a World Bank assignment, one of the Advisors, Mr S.N. Gupta, has moved to British Telecom.

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TRAI faced with shortage of officers

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