Diwali vigilance

Government interference in the public sector has long been a pet peeve of executives and commentators. But here is one form of interference that could well be above criticism because it is causing public sector executives to exercise extreme caution on the delicate subject of accepting Diwali gifts. While refusing a Diwali gift from a vendor, a senior official in a major state-owned oil and gas company said, "I am refusing inside and outside as well," meaning he would not accept gifts either officially at the office or unofficially at his residence or elsewhere. Later he explained the reason for this panic: apparently, there are people keeping a close watch mainly on executives in the senior management.