The Hindu Business Line : Hey, what about me?

America is feeling neglected. With the French and the Russians getting a head-start in the newly opened Indian nuclear power business, the UPA has been forced to use some deft diplomatic manoeuvres to ride out an increasing amount of pressure from the US nuclear lobby. The US' nuclear-power heavyweights, backed to the hilt by the Embassy here, had been pressing the outgoing government on a firm commitment with respect to at least one site where US manufacturers would get to set up a power station, on the lines of what has been offered to the Russians and the French. The demand by the US lobby comes in the wake of allegations by the US manufacturers of "cherry-picking" of potential Indian sites by the others, even as the US industry wants to wait in the wings for a liabilities regime to be put in place by India.

IAS cynics

This being the political season in Delhi, not much is happening by way of government appointments. While this may not matter much for the lesser posts, some important posts are falling (or have fallen) vacant. The Government has not yet decided on who will be appointed to these. This is in contrast to the swiftness with which the next Chief Election Commissioner, Navin Chawla, who many believe to be "close" to the Gandhi family, was appointed.

Several posts in the Central Government, not to mention that of the deputy governor of the RBI, are two very important posts on which a decision is pending. No decision has yet been taken on the next Foreign Secretary either, but that problem is some months away yet.

The key issue, of course, is whether an outgoing government can make such appointments because not only should the next government have the freedom to pick its own staff, it is also left looking vindictive if it makes changes. It will be interesting to see how the Manmohan Singh government handles the problem. Some cynical IAS officers in New Delhi say that if it makes the appointments it means that it is reasonably certain of forming the next government.

Good question

Domestic airlines are invariably asked whether they will lower fares when the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) decreases. So shouldn't they also be asked whether they will hike fares when the fuel prices increase? This newspaper was asked this question by an airline representative when the rates of ATF were revised on the March 15. Prices of ATF have just gone up by 15.39 paise a litre in Chennai, 16.68 paise a litre in Delhi, 14.88 paise in Kolkata, and 16.23 paise in Mumbai.

Tailpiece

Some American financial institutions are now having to walk that extra mile to distinguish themselves from their notorious peers. At Ficci's infrastructure summit, Ms Diane Farrell, Director, Export Import Bank of the US, gave the usual introduction about her organisation, but emphasised it being the official export financing agency. "We are funded by the treasury. We have the cash."

OUR DELHI BUREAU