Some ministers are following the government’s austerity drive to the letter and have realised it could backfire especially when journalists are around. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad learnt it the hard way when at a recent press conference called to highlight his ministry’s achievements, reporters found the customary high tea was absent.
After listening to Azad for over two hours, a cuppa was the least they expected. One journo in fact brought it to the notice of Azad who promptly laughed it off. As it happened, the event did not get much media coverage considering the amount of labour put in for the occasion. A senior ministry official wondered whether it was because of want of refreshments.
The message went home and at a subsequent event organised by the ministry a lavish spread was laid out and no one was allowed to leave before tucking in well.
rounak