The Hindu : National : Aiyar `cheers' up Opposition

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Friday, Aug 12, 2005

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National

Aiyar `cheers' up Opposition

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Presence of mind helped Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar to find his way out of a tight spot that he worked himself into with an off-the-cuff remark on Thursday.

Winding up a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said: "Ethanol is a residual product and we in the oil sector are the residual consumers. First, reduce the consumption of liquor as ethanol is first used in making liquor and then it comes to us.''

Thinking that the comment was directed at the Opposition, Vijay Kumar Malhotra of the Bharatiya Janata Party rose in protest. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee intervened saying that the Minister meant consumption of liquor in the country. As the Opposition remained agitated, Mr. Aiyar shot back: "I do not think Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra has ever enjoyed the joys of whisky. I am a Foreign Service officer. So, I take the blame on myself.''

With a smile breaking out on the BJP leader's face, the Minister went on: "The problem is with regard to consumption of alcohol for industrial and other purposes in the country as a whole. I think ethanol should be used first by the oil industry and only after that by the alcohol industry.'' Having got the desired effect from the House, he signed off with a `Cheers,' complete with a flourish.

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