PR skills to the fore

The ongoing investigation into the drug scandal is fast turning into a new test for the babus - no, not their output but a test of their PR skills. The Excise Enforcement Directorate’s probe has troubled not only tinsel town personalities but is even keeping heads of government departments on their feet.

The initial investigations put the School Education department in the dock, particularly when it was revealed that school and college-going students were in the list of addicted lot. Excise officials earned the wrath of Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari for the bolt from the blue.

However, a senior IAS officer entered the scene and protected the Excise department officials. He aced them up with his suave man-management and PR persuasive skills. The senior officer took up the damage-control exercise and acted as the link between the leaders of the government and Excise officials.

His efforts diverted the attention of the department from the schools to filmy people. It has been at his behest that the media, which is staying put in the SIT office for close to ten hours, is being provided some comfort and refreshments. That just shows how smart PR can silence the world or make one turn the other way.