RS Sharma appointed new Trai Chairman

Ram Sewak Sharma has been appointed the new chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), taking charge at a time when the regulator is deciding on matters such as net neutrality and the way to deal with the fast-growing eco-system of over-the-top (OTT) operators. He replaces Rahul Khullar, who has now retired.

Sharma is believed to be close to PM Narendra Modi and was also instrumental in planning the mega 'Digital India' event with telecom and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

There were a number of applicants for the job that regulates the issues related to the telecom sector and the broadcasting industry. There were over 75 applicants for the position and apart from Sharma, others vying for the post included former defence secretary R K Mathur, information & broadcasting secretary Bimal Julka, former commerce secretary Rajeev Kher and steel secretary Rakesh Singh. Former RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn was also in the fray.

Prior to holding the position of IT Secretary, he has worked as Chief Secretary in the Jharkhand government. Also, he had worked as Director General & Mission Director of the ambitious Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) program.