BSNL employees unions have alleged that the eligibility criteria for selecting the Chairman and Managing Director was changed arbitrarily to favour a few candidates.

The association has written a letter to Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar alleging that the criteria has been diluted to select candidates without required experience, thus defeating the purpose of forming a search panel.

"The entire effort of Sam Pitroda panel to induct best talent from within and outside BSNL to lead BSNL is being virtually reduced to ashes by arbitrarily changing the eligibility criterion so as not only to exclude best talent from outside but from within BSNL too," G L Jogi, Sceretary, Sanchar Nigam Executives Association said in the letter.

This has "reduced the whole process of selection to a farce and hitting at the very root of the initiative to spot and induct best possible talent to revive BSNL."

The association also requested the Cabinet Secretary to intervene and to ensure that the process of selection is fair and impartial.

Induction of high grade professionals was an important and critical measure aimed at thorough revamping and revival of BSNL.

The eligibility criterion stipulated in July 2010 when the search committee was constituted was considerably broad, making young, experienced and talented people eligible for selection.

This basic objective is defeated lock, stock and barrel by inviting a selected few, not really having an outstanding past, for an interview on Sunday (October 3, 2010) when the whole nation would be fully preoccupied watching inauguration of commonwealth games.