Mamata too joins ‘pardon Sanjay Dutt’ chorus

“Though it is not in my hand,I feel that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier. From complete wreck,he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential.”

Recalling her association with Sanjay’s actor-turned-politician father Sunil Dutt,she said they fought together strongly against TADA for its misuse potential.

“Today,I fondly remember Sunil Duttji. He used to come to my residence whenever he was in Kolkata. If he were alive,he would have no doubt made all efforts to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more.”

“My heart also echoes his sentiments. Let us all pray for Sanjay living a peaceful life,” Mamata said.

The 53-year-old actor will have to spend three-and-a-half years in jail after the apex court reduced to five years the six year jail term awarded to him by a designated TADA court in 2006. Dutt has already spent 18 months in jail.

CM questions Centre’s Mar 31 deadline for set-top boxes

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed strong reservation over the March 31 deadline fixed by the Centre for installation of set-top boxes and said the poor would find it difficult to comply with it. “Deadline for set-top boxes has been given as March 31. Many poor people will not be able to afford set-top boxes. Moreover it will be implemented in one area and not in others,” Banerjee told PTI. She said,“The Centre cannot force the people of Kolkata to purchase set-top boxes. Why are they taking away the people’s rights?”