The central government of India has appointed Gujarat cadre IAS officer PD Vaghela as the new head of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Mr. Vaghela, an officer of 1986 batch is currently posted as the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. According to a notification issued by the appointments committee of the Cabinet on Monday, Mr. Vaghela will be leading the Telecom body for the next three years which will end in September 2023. He is replacing RS Sharma in TRAI.
Mr. Sharma was appointed as the Chief of TRAI in 2015. After serving the body for five years he is leaving its charge because his retirement is scheduled on 30th September. He got a three years extension and played key roles in many changes including the adoption of NET neutrality by the country.
The Cellular Operators’ Association of India has welcomed the new chief of TRAI and said that he will be important in creating a healthy and regulatory environment in the Telecom industry.
Let it be noted that Mr. Vaghela was appointed as the Secretary, Pharma in August last year. The officer who has a doctorate in Sociology, has been assigned with many critical responsibilities in his entire career. He was appointed as the Additional Secretary (Finance) in Gujarat government and also served as the Joint Secretary Shipping in the Central Government. He also took up the charge of Commissioner of Commercial tax in Gujarat and was a key part in the implementation Goods and services tax in the country.
