Home » Business News » Trade Unions

New Delhi: The consequences of the nationwide strike called by Left-backed trade unions was felt more in the Left-ruled states of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, while life was normal in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai as people ignored the shutdown.

NEW DELHI

There were few places where the left-backed trade union employees staged dharna but the strike failed to put break on the wheels in the national capital. The people began their day as usual. All the banks were open, train services and bus service remained uninterrupted. Markets continued to do business without any hiccups.

The State Bank of India, Deputy General Manager, Sushil Bakshi told Headlines India, "The customers rushing in the bank as usual. We have nothing to do with the strike."

"Except Kolkata bound flights all flights are taking off as per schedule from Delhi Airport," informed Arun Arora, Corporate Communication, Delhi Airport.

KOLKATA

With the ruling Left Front governments supporting the strike called to protest against surging inflation and the Centre's 'anti-people' economic policies, there was a complete shut down in West Bengal with disruption in air and rail traffic. The strikers did not spare the vital IT sector in Salt Lake in Kolkata from the purview of the strike. Flights to Kolkata were cancelled due to the strike by airport employees.

TRIPURA

Normal life came to a standstill in Tripura as most of the markets, shops and business establishments, government and semi-government offices and educational institutions were closed in the state. Roads were deserted. Rail and air traffic were disrupted.

Bus services between Tripura and other northeastern states were cancelled. The government-run Alliance Air and other private airlines cancelled or rescheduled many flights on the Agartala-Kolkata-Guwahati-Silchar routes.

Examinations at educational institutions, including in Tripura University, were also cancelled. "The strike is peaceful," said police spokesman Mayajoy Rupini. The strike was called by the National Platform of Mass Organisation (NPMO), which is made up of Left trade unions.

KERALA

The shutdown also crippled life in Kerala as road traffic was affected with most vehicles keeping off the roads. Train services were seriously affected with strike supporters blocking trains at various places.

In Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, strikers started squatting on rail tracks from early in the day. According to officials, the railway's Palakkad division cancelled 15 passenger trains in view of the strike. Hundreds were stranded as trains were stopped midway.

The protest did not affect flights. "Our operations are normal," an official at the Kochi airport. Shops and commercial establishments across the state did not open. Educational institutions were also closed.

Eight trade unions supported by 40 employees' federations planned to stage demonstrations in the day-long agitation in order to protest against the Centre's economic and labour policies. The unions have a six-point charter of demands, which includes curbing inflation, a comprehensive Unorganised Workers' Bill, loan-waiver scheme for farmers, proper implementation of labour laws, removal of anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission among other things.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 250 skilled personnel to maintain safety and fire services at 21 airfields across the country.

(with inputs from agencies)