Trivedi quits, Mamata dictates

Four days after presenting the annaul Budget for the financial year 2012-13, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Sunday night resigned from the Union Cabinet.

"I got the confirmation from Mamata Banerjee that I should step down. The party has taken the decision and I abided by it. I must thank Trinamool Congress, party chief Mamata , entire Union Cabinet and prime minister Manmohan Singh for giving me this oppurtuny. Whatever I did is in the interest of the Railways and in the interest of the Country. I'm very happy with what I have done," said Trivedi, speaking to mediapersons after resigning.

The increase in rail fares has led to an uproar all over the Country and even Trinamool Congress (TMC) party (Trivedi belongs to) has criticized the budget. Trinamool chief and west bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee forced Trivedi to resign to put an end to the controversy. Though prime minister wasn't keen to sack Trivedi, pressure mounted by Mamata left the Congress-led UPA Government with no other option. Already weakened UPA Government won't dare to lose
the support of Mamata's 19 MPs.

Hike in rail fares: 2 paise per km for second class on suburban trains, 3 paise per km on mail and express trains, 5 paise per km for sleeper class, 10 paise per km for a/c III tier and first class, 15 paise per km for a/c II tier, 30 paise per km for a/c I tier. Platform ticket to cost Rs 5.