State-run telecom operator BSNL on Tuesday appointed Mr Gopal Das as acting Chairman and Managing Director after the retirement of Mr Kuldeep Goyal.
Mr Goyal retired as CMD on July 31.
Mr Das, who is serving as Director (Human Resources Development) in the telecom PSU, will be the acting chief till a new CMD is appointed by the government-nominated search panel.
The government has constituted a search-cum-selection panel, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, for finding suitable candidates for the posts of CMD of BSNL and MTNL, as part of restructuring to make them financially viable.
The panel has invited applications from candidates in the public and private sectors for these posts. The new chiefs of the two telecom PSUs will be hired on a contract basis with a fixed term of three years, which can be extended for a further period of three years based on performance evaluation by an external expert group.
Mr Das, on his appointment as CMD, said, "After a good old journey of more than three decades, this is the best form of reward I can seek for my career. A great challenge lies ahead of us and I am sure we will meet every challenge with determination."
Prior to joining BSNL in 2007, Das has served as the Chief General Manager (Wireless Services) in Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited at Mumbai.