Missed call

Vodafone India chief executive Sunil Sood's comment at a press conference - that the views of the telecom minister (Ravi Shankar Prasad) and the Department of Telecommunications secretary (Rakesh Garg) didn't count as the view of the entire government - hasn't gone down well with the ministry concerned. The ministry conveyed its 'strong displeasure' to the company, forcing Sood to write a letter to clear the air. In the letter, Sood blamed the media for quoting him out of context. Top sources in the ministry said Sood sought an appointment with the telecom minister but was not given one. Around the same time (when Sood made that comment on August 17), Vittorio Colao, chief executive officer at Vodafone Group, sought a meeting with the minister to discuss its India investment plans. He, too, has not been given an appointment.