Wait watchers

Some companies have found a new tactic to avoid adverse decisions from the government — and it plays on the sarkari propensity for delay. Recently, one company wrote to the finance ministry seeking clarification on a notification. In its letter it said if the finance ministry did not send a response the company would consider the decision in its favour. Such practices have ensured that the ministry responds to the company’s query, but bureaucrats are understandably miffed at this “blackmail”.