:: Dilip Cherian

Newbies

By Dilip Cherian

July 26 : Anand Sharma as information and broadcasting minister in the previous regime justifiably got the credit, after the elections, for the fact that he had got his party just the kind of permissible coverage that guaranteed that their achievements were projected correctly on government television. But he, apparently, believes that the benefits of the credit must also go where they are due. Since B.S. Lalli as chief executive officer (CEO) of Prasar Bharati was the man responsible, he deserves to be well rewarded. It is, of course, another matter that Mr Lalli himself is under tremendous pressure in his current position.

While the new minister for information and broadcasting, Ambika Soni, has not yet taken a view on how Mr Lalli should be handled, there is no doubt that he is a bit of a political hot potato. Insinuations and allegations have been flying thick and fast at the board, and the resignation of Arun Bhatnagar, the shadowy but "well connected" chairman of the board, some months ago, has inexplicably still not been accepted by Ms Soni. This, much to the embarrassment of Mr Lalli, who has been the target of his irritation which has also become public in some carefully leaked letters.

Of course, for the babu veteran Mr Lalli, whose regular term as an Indian Administrative Service officer is over, this could be a double bonus. He may end up getting a promotion and with it he also gets an even more extended term, as India Trade Promotion Organisation chairman. In addition, he may get to work under the minister of his choice. And Mr Sharma is happy to be known as a man who rewards his key officials generously.

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Corporate style

Now that the government has finally taken the plunge, we’ll soon see whether corporate honchos can administer government programmes better than babus. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, who is steering the unique identity card programme, is merely the first corporate heavyweight to cross over. Already civil aviation minister Praful Patel is looking at Ratan Tata to bail out the beleaguered Air India. Sources say that Tata Consultancy Services’ chief executive officer (CEO) S. Ramdorai and Infosys chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy too may be brought on board. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is reportedly pitching for L.N. Mittal, Indra Nooyi and Vikram Pandit to help the government develop an inclusive agenda.

The government’s new-found confidence in the leadership qualities of corporate CEOs is being cautiously welcomed, but clearly the path ahead for Nilekani and Co. is hardly an easy one. Certainly, veteran government watchers advise caution for these CEOs in these murky waters, considering they have considerable reputations to protect. They will have to deploy all the people management skills they have and conjure up to work alongside my favourite tribesmen.