Bharat Bandh: Nationwide strike enters day 2; banking, transport services partially hit on 1st day

The two-day nationwide strike which started on Monday enter its second day today. On the first day, the strike led to a partial disruption of transportation and banking in quite a few states.

On the other hand, the Kerela High Court on Monday issued an order prohibiting government employees from abstaining from work as a part of Bharat Bandh.

West Bengal saw protests and demonstrations from the left-backed protestors as they blocked railway tracks and also protested in the streets. Mamata Banerjee’s party has been criticized by the Left for not supporting the strike. West Bengal Government issued a memorandum stating that all of its offices including those provided with Grants-in-Aid by the State Government will remain open. And unauthorised absence by employees may invite a show-cause, and they may have to lose salary for the day (or days), concerned.

As the strike goes into its second day or its final day the transportation and banking services are still likely to be partially hit.

The strike has been called by the Joint Forum of Central Trade Unions to protest against the slashed interest rates of provident fund, rising fuel prices and privatisation of central public sector undertaking.