The weekly ``formal'' Saturday cabinet meeting under Sahib Singh has now become an everyday ``informal tiffin'' meeting. Earlier the ministers' shared lunch once a week -- on Saturday when the cabinet meeting was held. However, in the post-Sushma period, many things have changed. For one she likes to meet her kitchen cabinet everyday. For another, she prefers to meet them over homemade food.

So every afternoon, the ministers abandon their rooms and dutifully trot down the corridors of Vidhan Sabha for a power luncheon. ``We appraise the chief minister about the day's happenings, discuss issues and, of course, also have our lunch,'' says Industries Minister Harsharan Singh Balli. ``Actually, food is just an excuse to meet''.

The excuse for today's meeting was lunch organised by the CM herself. Over matar paneer, vegetable kofta, rice and chappati, the seven cabinet ministers discussed life and times in Delhi, complete with law, order and onions. The ministers also brief each other on the highs and lows in their ministry.

However, topping the list of issues discussed this afternoon was finance minister Jagdish Mukhi's experience on the streets of South Delhi. Similarly, yesterday's meeting was dominated by Swaraj's night at the Kalyanpuri police station and strategy was drawn for night patrolling every day of the week.

``Law and order situation, onions and everything that matters in the city is discussed everyday,'' Balli says emphatically. ``The problems are highlighted and the required guidance from the leadership is immediately sought. It is a more efficient way of functioning''.

So for an hour every afternoon, the ministers chomp on parathas and discuss the events of the day. There is a mix of light banter and serious discussion as the course moves onto rice. ``These meetings are not a new thing,'' says Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. ``Yes, but earlier it was weekly. With the daily sessions, decision making has become easier and faster''.

These informal meetings result in no formal announcements. So what goes on behind closed doors and decisions taken are for the ministers' ears only. The meeting is all hush-hush and even food preferences are kept under wraps. ``We eat what we get,'' explains Poornima Sethi, minister of food and civil supplies. ``Usually, it is ghar ka khana and the main course is organised by each one of us by turns. Not only do we share our meal, we also share our thoughts''.

The important thoughts shared are the issues to be highlighted at the daily briefing. Lunch over, Swaraj makes her announcements of the day. The ministers go back to their files, only to meet again the next day and talk Delhi.