Media-wary HRD minister

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani has made it a point to keep the media at arm's length ever since the controversy over her educational qualifications erupted. In fact, Irani has, till date, not had a formal press meet. Ministry insiders say that soon after she took over, a group of journalists made their way into her room, leaving her furious. She demanded to know from the then Press Information Bureau (PIB) officer R N Mishra how journalists could walk into her room without the knowledge of the PIB. The hapless officer tried explaining that accredited journalists do not need to inform the PIB officer to do so. It may be a coincidence, but a new officer has been entrusted with the job of publicity for the HRD ministry since then. So few were surprised when last week, after an invite was issued to the media to the release of the District Information System for Education (DISE) annual statistical report, the PIB beat a hasty retreat, issuing another message: "Not open to the media," within an hour.