Rahman Khan in command

Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan appeared to be in command at the National Editors Conference. Inaugurated by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, the PIB had lined up a number of important Union Ministers.The Minority Affairs Ministry is relatively new but the incumbent is thorough with the issues involved, which gives him absolute command and felicity of expression. Rahman Khan produced the most authentic report, as head of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf. Now, as head of the Minority Affairs Ministry, he handles the Central Waqf Council, which is the nodal body to manage its affairs. The other issues include monitoring the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for Minorities and Multi-Sectoral Development in Minority Concentrated Districts. Union Environment & Forest Minister Jayanti Natarajan was conspicuous by her absence at the National Editors Conference, as she stayed away from it. It was claimed that since she was AICC spokesperson, Natarajan is not keen on publicity. It had more to do with the negative track-record of the ministry. The Environment Ministry has been stonewalling projects, leading to intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Perhaps the PIB chose to steer clear of controversy.