Weighty issues

Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Distribution Raosaheb Danve, who hails from Maharashtra, is quite frank in admitting that although his political weight has increased within the party and outside, he has lost four kilograms since being inducted into the Modi-led government. Danve, who rose up the ranks after his baptism in politics at the panchayat level, ascribes the weight loss to increasing work pressure. It is quite clear that Danve, who is a four-term MP from the Jalna seat, is taking his job seriously. His telling commentary has led many babus and other ministry officials to wonder if many more ministers are likely to shed flab while working under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a hard taskmaster and a believer in "performance, efficiency, and quick delivery".