Mamata pays from pocket

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee not only pays for the food in her office from her own pocket but also makes advance payments. Last week, at an informal meeting of her party MPs in her room in Parliament, Banerjee asked the canteen staff, “How much money is there in my account?” The railway employee replied, “Madam, a maximum Rs 20 is left.” Banerjee immediately handed over Rs 50. Even as she is particular about paying her bills, she can’t enjoy many items that the railway catering service in Parliament canteen has introduced after she became the minister. When she was served aloo chop, an all-time favourite in West Bengal, Banerjee sent it back, “After the CPI(M) goons tried to kill me and I was operated on my head, I can’t eat spicy food.” While others relished the aloo chop, Banerjee ordered dosas for her deputy, KH Munniyappa.