The re-emergence of Convergence Bill draft has achieved one important
objective. It has protected the jobs of all the TRAI members under the
guise of providing continuity in policy making.
The sections 70 and 71 which had been earlier omitted after discussions
in an earlier GOT-IT have been reintroduced. These sections provide that
the Chairperson and the members of the TRAI will be deemed to be appointed
as the Chairperson and Members of the Communication Convergence Commission
under the same terms and conditions under which they were so appointed
under that Act.
This effectively seals any possibility of a change in the constitution
of the Commission until the terms of the existing members expire.
Even though this is being justified through an elaborate explanation,
the point is clear that the TRAI has been able to wield its influence against
any possibility of a change.
Does this mean that the Ministry of Information and Technology under
Mr Pramod Mahajan and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Ms
Sushma Swaraj have been effectively subordinated to the wishes of the Minsitry
of Telecommuications under Mr Ram Vilas Paswan?... is any body's guess.
Naavi
July 21 2001
