Work hit in central government offices, banks in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 14 (UNI) Work in central government offices and banks in Kashmir was hit today due to a 24-hour countrywide strike called by trade unions affiliated to the Left parties to protest economic and industrial policies of the UPA regime.

Postal, banking and insurance services were the most affected by the strike. All nationalised banks and insurance companies observed a complete strike. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank functioned normally and work at the Srinagar airport was not affected as all incoming and outgoing flights operated as per the schedule.

The employees of central government offices also struck work in response to the strike call.

Hundreds of employees took out a protest march here, seeking implementation of their 16-point charter of demands, including a legislation to protect 370 million people in the unorganised sector, stopping violation of labour laws and preventing disinvestment of profit-making PSUs and a comprehensive law for agricultural workers.

Reports of protests and demonstrations were received from various district headquarters in the Kashmir valley.

CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is also the CITU- Jammu and Kashmir chapter president, later congratulated the workers of public, private and government sectors for observing the strike.

He urged both the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to heed to the voice of the working class and come up with concrete measures to redress the genuine and legitimate grievances of the workers and the employees.

UNI AG RR DS1632