New Delhi:
"Why it takes so long to get a PIB card,", This question by a clearly exasperated Japanese journalist to the Prime Minister at his press conference took everyone by surprise.
But behind Susumu Arai's complaint lies a major battle between the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting over accreditation for foreign correspondents.
* All foreign journalists get temporary accreditation until their permanent Press Information Bureau or PIB cards are sanctioned. This can take up to 8 months.
* About a year ago, the Home Ministry refused to clear a Chinese journalist's PIB card citing security grounds.
* Sources say the PIB which comes under the I and B ministry decided to review the entire policy and cancelled the temporary cards of all foreign correspondents which means they would have no access to government buildings for 6 to 8 months.
* This order has affected over 100 of Delhi's 250 foreign reporters
For a country that wants to showcase its economic rise, sources in the Ministry of External affairs claim this was a complete over reaction. I and B sources say the changed security environment is more important. In fact, the Foreign Secretary wrote to the I and B secretary but as of Wednesday there was no response. Now with the issue going up to the Prime Minister, the MEA has written another letter.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said,"After 26/11, home ministry has told us to be more stringent."
While PIB officials were surprised by the Japanese journalist's question to the PM, sources say his question was vetted by the MEA taking the battle out in the open!