Quid pro quo

Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa was saved by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from boredom during a recent government event that had little to do with his department. Throughout the event, organised to mark the unveiling of an online portal that facilitates government procurement through a digital platform, Lavasa was seen trying to contain his laughter as he chatted with Sitharaman. Shedding light on the matter, the minister later said she was quite happy with the finance ministry for moving fast to change the general financing rules that govern procurement - "something it is not known for", she added with a smile. A joke for jaded nerves perhaps?