48-hr all-India bandh hits normal life in State

BHUBANESWAR: The two-day nationwide strike called by the Central trade unions disrupted normal life in different places of the State and hit banking and transport sectors leaving commuters in the lurch on Wednesday. The trade unions are observing the bandh demanding social security for labourers, implementation of labour laws, controlling of price hike and minimum wage for workers.

Bus services in the capital city have been disrupted as unions of private bus operators extended their support to the bandh. The auto-rickshaw unions also supported the bandh call in the city which left the commuters with no choice. The train services were also affected due to the trade unions’ sit in dharna in front of the trains at several railway stations in the State.

The passengers were affected due to the strike. The passengers were waiting for hours to go to their working place. “I wanted to bring my sister to a hospital for her treatment, but the private cars and autos didn’t listen my request citing the reason of bandh. It hurt me a lot,” said Simanchal Purohit of Puri.  

The business establishments, educational institutions and Government offices remain closed for two days during the bandh to avoid any untoward situation during picketing of the trade unions. However, a few shops, groceries and vending zones in the city were opened during the bandh.   

Banking services in the State were also affected as the United Forum of Bank Union is supporting the bandh to protest against privatisation and merger of banks. Around 12,000 officers and 30,000 other bank employees of nationlised, co-operative and rural banks took part in the bandh.

The trade union members of the Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and other such organisations held picketing before the private banks, PSUs, Central Government offices and on the roads. The industrial workers also started picketing in front of their main offices, said the leaders.

In their 10-piont charter of demands, the unions have highlighted price rise and demanded universal food security with 50 kg of cereals per family along with pulses and cooking oil. They demanded concrete measures for employment generation, disinvestment in PSUs and increased FDI in various sectors, pension for all at a rate not less than the minimum wage, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days of submission of application and security and protection of women workers.