Competition has strange ways of changing the way public sector institutions operate at times. The state-run behemoth Life Insurance Corporation may be dishing out big money (Rs 130 crore this fiscal) on advertising and brand promotion, but when it comes to making statements and unveiling the numbers on its business, it has turned highly conservative of late. The top brass at LIC’s Yogakshema Building headquarters recently banned any interaction by its officials at seminars, conferences etc.

Reason? The officials may end up disclosing figures like market share that may not show

LIC in a positive light vis-a-vis competition. Officials are now scared to attend functions even as guests! For PSUs, freedom of expression seems to have become the first casualty of these competitive times.

(www.financialexpress.com)