No talking

This year, the customary pre-Budget iron curtain between the finance ministry and the media was lifted immediately after the Budget was presented in Parliament on February 28 - but with one exception. This is the disinvestment department, which remains off-limits and its officials in strict maun vrat mode. That's because a number of offers for sale of government-owned company shares is lined up for this month, so given market sensitivities, officials have been advised not to talk to the media before the offers are completed.