No term extension for Telecom Secy R Chandrasekhar: Sibal

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Ministry today said it will not extend tenure of DoT Secretary Rentala Chandrasekhar, who is retiring this month.

"No, the government of India does not permit," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said when asked if there are chances of extending Chandrashekhar's term.

On extension given to some bureaucrats in the past, Sibal said: "Those are under rules of government but this Ministry does not fall in that category."

Department of Heavy Industries Secretary M F Farooqui is believed to be a contender for the post of telecom secretary. However, this could not be officially verified.

Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer Chandrashekhar was given charge as Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on September 24, 2010, amid the telecom industry facing turbulent times.

He has been key officer in formulation of National Telecom Policy 2012, National Policy on Electronics (NPE) and National Policy on Information Technology (NIT).

Commending Chandrashekhar as an outstanding public servant, Sibal said: "(He is) The best that I have seen. Upfront with great integrity, spoke his mind as and when he was required to. Guided me constructively. He is an example of what a bureacrat should be in the Government of India."