Time management

Addressing a seminar last week, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena (pictured) told the audience he had to rush back to Parliament for the discussion on the allocation of supplementary demands for grants for 2011-2012, since a considerable sum involved the fertiliser subsidy. So Jena delivered a short speech and declined to take questions — and there would have been many on the contentious issue of subsidy. Despite saying he was pressed for time, Jena didn't leave immediately after that. He not only stayed to hand out numerous awards but also had a leisurely cup of tea with ministry officials — all of which attracted considerable comment from delegates.