“Shri A.N.Rai Director (Enterprise) BSNL has assumed the additional charge of post of CMD, BSNL with effect from 01-07-2014 (F/N) and until further orders,” Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) said in a statement.

Shri Rai, an officer of ITS 1975 Batch holds B-Tech. degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering from BHU, Varanasi. Shri Rai was actively associated with the installation, commissioning and maintenance of switching the equipments at various places in the country.

He was also trained in Digital Telecom System in various countries like U.K., Germany and USA. As DDG at Corporate Office, he handled rural networking and CMTS areas.

Prior to joining as Director, he was the CGM, Orissa Circle of BSNL which bagged the prestigious “Telecom Circle of the year 2010-11 Award.”

Upadhyay's tenure, as per his appointment letter, was to end in April. He was given a month's extension by DoT after approval from the then telecom minister Kapil Sibal and another month extension till end of June when he completes 60 years of his age.

The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) had recommended Anupam Shrivastava, director for consumer mobile services, for the post but Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is yet to give his final approval, sources say. And also last week, ACC approved the appointment of P K Purwar as MTNL CMD on recommendation of PESB, Reports PTI.