TUs strike hits banking operations

BHUBANESWAR: The 24-hour nationwide general strike call given by major Central trade unions evoked a mixed response in the State having partial impact on normal life.  Major bank and insurance companies along with post office operations were, however, affected as the employees and officers bodies joined the strike to protest the anti-labour policies of the Centre, divestment of PSUs and price rise of essential commodities. Petrol pumps remained closed while at several places markets and commercial establishments also observed shutdown. Transport was hit in many parts of the State as long distance buses stayed off the roads apprehending trouble while the autorickshaw associations joined the strike. Train services were also affected due to the rail roko and picketing by the agitators. Trains had to be halted at the Railway stations due to the demonstrations and ran behind schedule by more than an hour. In Bhubaneswar, autorickshaws were off the roads while the City bus service was suspended. Inter-city bus operations by private and government buses were on but long distance routes were not operational. Agitators staged a rail roko at the Bhubaneswar railway station prompting authorities to halt the Rajdhani Express, Visakha Express and Garib Rath. Their departure was delayed by between 30 minutes  and an hour.  Members of the trade unions took out a procession from Rajmahal to State Assembly where they staged a demonstration. More than 40 agitators were also taken into preventive custody by police from different parts of the city while staging demonstrations and resorting to road blockade of the National Highway near Jayadeb Vihar. The activists also picketed in front of the RBI Regional Office, State Bank of India regional office and branches of the major banks, insurance companies, post offices and BSNL. Government offices, schools and colleges were, however, open and reported normal attendance. The trade unions and Left parties like CPM and CPI termed the strike a complete success across the State. “Around 25 lakh workers, employees across banking, insurance, transport and unorganised sectors joined the strike,” AITUC Odisha State Committee general secretary S Kar said.  CPM secretary Janardan Pati said the strike was spontaneous outpouring of the workers’ anguish over the policies of the Centre.