Sources said that Sharma's appointment was yet to be cleared by the appointments committee of the cabinet. However, they were quick to point out that since union communications minister Sushma Swaraj had already cleared the proposal, the appointments committee's approval would be a mere formality.

Swaraj has also cleared the appointment of three directors in the company, also subject to final approval by the appointments' committee.

Sources said that the Department of Telecommunications' Rajneesh Gupta will take over as networks director, a post created last year and which has remained vacant since then. Telecommunications Consultants of India's Vinoo Goel is likely be appointed the developmentdirector. Hindustan Organic Chemicals' SP Sinha is tipped to take over as finance director, a post which has remained vacant for five years now, except for three months in the run-up to its global depository receipts issue.

The government had then appointed Annie Moraes of the Department of Telecommunications, who was promptly transferred to the department once the global depository receipts was through.

If and when the appointments committee gives its approval for the appointments, it will mark the first time in five years when the Videsh Sanchar Nigam board will be represented by its full strength.

It will also pave the way for the expansion of its board by inducting outside directors, promised to it under the navratna package.

Officers piqued

There seems to be discontent brewing among a section of the company's officials over the choice of directors. Although four officers of the company were eligible to contest for the post of development director and networks director, none of them wasshortlisted. Instead, sources say, outside candidates were chosen. The Department of Public Enterprises' guidelines have been ignored, they allege. Some officers have taken up the matter with Sushma Swaraj.