ULTA PULTA
Ticketing tales
Jaspal Bhatti

Radhey and Kalia were travelling by a second-class rail coach. They were standing, as the coach was overcrowded. A harassed-looking gentleman tried to jostle his way when Radhey shouted, "Hey, where are you heading to? There’s no leg room ahead. The troubled-looking man gathered his courage and said, "Can’t you see my black coat? I am the Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) for this coach. Show me your tickets."

Radhey said, "Sorry for not recognising you but can you tell us what the government has proposed to make rail travel more safe and comfortable?" The TTE answered, "It has sacked the Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi from the Union Cabinet."

Retorted Kalia, "That’s for the comfort of Mamata Bannerjee, not for the passengers." The TTE replied, "Mamata has opposed the fare hike proposed by Trivedi. She has taken this step to make people happy."

Radhey said, "But sir, we still travel in uncomfortable and risky manner, considering the number of rail accidents." The TTE said, "For that, the Railways need funds and Mamata is against raising funds by levying taxes." Kalia reasoned, "I have understood the whole thing. Mamata is pleasing us for the time being.

Take this Rs 100 note and keep it in your pocket. Don't worry about the larger interest of the Railways and be happy for the time being because we don’t have tickets."

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