Lines of control

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has always been adept at countering controversial questions from journalists with long spiels of non-speak. Now, he is becoming expert at the one-line put-downs, too. After an hour-long meeting of a ministerial panel on coal recently, reporters surrounded panel members, including Ahluwalia. A TV reporter bluntly asked him what had transpired at the closed-door meeting. Ahluwalia replied with a huge smile, "I know that even you are losing your confidence in getting an answer from me." Next, a reporter from a foreign newswire launched into a sophisticated and carefully crafted query. To him, too, Ahluwalia provided a smart non-answer: "It's late in the evening, young man. Maybe it is time for you to go and enjoy a drink or two."