Mamata's ban on most papers at government libraries attacked

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Dinesh Trivedi to attend Mamata's meet in Delhi today

New Delhi/Kolkata:  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used his Motion of Thanks on the President's address today to meet at least one demand of the Opposition - clarity on the status of Dinesh Trivedi, who was Railways Minister till he quit last night. Dr Singh confirmed that last night, he had received first an email and then a formal letter of resignation from Mr Trivedi. He said that he had accepted Mr Trivedi's resignation and has forwarded the former minister's letter to President Pratibha Patil. He also said that he regrets the departure of Mr Trivedi, who belongs to Mamata Banerjee's party, the Trinamool Congress. Minutes later, Ms Banerjee retorted outside Parliament that the PM's remarks reflect "a personal opinion" and one that her party does not share.  
She also indicated that the hike in passenger fares, proposed by Mr Trivedi last week, will be rolled back, at least for the cheaper trains and coaches used most by the aam admi or common man. She said that while pricier tickets for AC and super-class fares was alright, but passengers traveling in the lower class should not suffer.

"We should do what is needed, but will not do anything that will disturb the aam janta. This is our policy," she said.

Ms Banerjee, along with party leader Mukul Roy, met with the Prime Minister. Mr Roy is Mamata's candidate for the new Railways minister and may be sworn-in as early as tomorrow.

While sharing that he has accepted Mr Trivedi's resignation, Dr Singh highlighted the difficulties of coalition politics and with some irony lauded Mr Trivedi for having presented a "Railway Budget which promised to carry out the vision 2020 that was outlined by his predecessor." Mr Trivedi's predecessor in Rail Bhawan was Mamata Banerjee, who is his party's chief, and demanded Mr Trivedi's resignation for proposing a hike in passenger fares.

As soon as the Lok Sabha convened after the weekend, the BJP said the Prime Minister must address Parliament to explain the chain of events that led to the Rail Minister's exit. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee replied that Mr Trivedi's resignation had been received and that the Prime Minister was considering it. "When a decision is made, it will be shared with the House," he said.

The BJP's Yashwant Sinha said, "The PM is the head of the Cabinet. He has the right to give a portfolio to someone else. But he is also obliged to share information with Parliament. But we are discovering everything in the newspapers," he said.

"Dinesh Trivedi is in the House. He should also clarify the situation to Parliament," Mr Sinha added.

Gurudas Dasgupta of the Left also said the Prime Minister owes parliament an explanation. "A backstage drama is taking place. Parliament is in session and we don't know what is happening," he said.

Mr Sinha brought a smile to the Finance Minister's face when he took a swipe at the PM saying he had great respect for Mr Mukherjee, who is Leader of the Lok Sabha; "the PM should have been leader but couldn't make it," Mr Sinha said. Dr Manmohan Singh is a rare Indian PM who is not a member of the Lok Sabha. He is a Rajya Sabha member from Guwahati.
Meanwhile, Mr Trivedi will come face-to-face with Ms Banerjee for the first time today at a meeting of MPs of their party. He has not seen her since he presented his budget. He said last night that he continues to think of Ms Banerjee as his leader and has no plans to switch parties. Ms Banerjee simply said last night before leaving Kolkata for Delhi that she plans to meet "with all my people."

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Mamata's nephew in court today for slapping traffic cop

Kolkata:  Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Akash Banerjee, who was arrested here yesterday for allegedly slapping a traffic policeman, will be presented in court today. He has been charged with a non-bailable offence under section 353(b) of the Indian Penal Code (assault of a police officer on duty).

Police officials claim that the Chief Minister herself ordered the arrest of her nephew. Seeking to make a very embarrassing incident look a little better, a minister in the Mamata Banerjee government said it was a "small incident and the chief minister had demonstrated raj dharma by ordering the arrest of her nephew."
Yesterday, Mr Banerjee's car was stopped in Khidderpore for violating a traffic rule - unconfirmed reports say the car was being driven on the wrong side of the road. The CM's nephew was in the car with two friends. When a traffic sergeant stopped the vehicle, Mr Banerjee and the two other passengers got out of the car and allegedly abused and beat him. People who witnessed the incident claim that Mr Banerjee shouted, "Don't you know who I am? I am the chief minister's nephew."
The three passengers were taken to the Watgunge police station. After the link to the chief minister was made clear, Mr Banerjee and the others were allowed to leave without any case being filed against them. Later, after people of the area raised a hue and cry and the local media reported on the incident, a case was registered and Mr Banerjee was arrested.

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Mamata's nephew sent to judicial custody for slapping cop; 'small incident' says her party

Kolkata:  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Akash has been sent to one-day judicial custody for slapping a traffic cop yesterday. They will be again produced in court tomorrow.

Mamata Banerjee's party, however, continues to suggest that the fact that her nephew slapped a traffic policeman is not a big deal. "There has been a small incident," said Firhad Hakim, a minister in Ms Banerjee's government in Bengal. "Why only Kolkata? Across India, those who drive vehicles often have angry exchanges with traffic police and even get into scuffles," he added.
Mr Banerjee was arrested yesterday after he slapped a traffic cop who stopped his car for driving on the wrong side of the road. Eyewitnesses said that after Mr Banerjee slapped the cop, he shouted, "Don't you know who I am?" He was allowed to leave soon after, but was arrested after local media began reporting on the incident.
Mr Banerjee was brought to a Kolkata court this morning. The chief minister's party says that proves that his relationship to Ms Banerjee has not offered him undue protection.

Only Mamata Banerjee, our chief minister, is implementing 'raj dharma'. Despite him (Akash)  being her relative, the minute she heard about the incident, she said the law must take its own course," said Mr Hakim today.

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