Transport strike crippling public life in state, what is wrong with Didi's Bengal?

On Friday the trade unions in West Bengal called a "total" transport strike across the state and said that they wont end the strike till the time their demands are met by the state government. Even the Durga Puja will not make these unions end the strike as they say that it will continue till the government responds properly.

Why Unions have called 'Total' Transport Strike

Total strike means all the state transport department-run buses, ferry service, contract carriages and luxury taxis wont run.

Since August 7, taxi unions have been calling flash strikes.

Yesterday also over 30,000 taxis remained off the roads.

They are demanding the following from the state government:

• To raise fares
• Drop legal proceedings against 450 taxi owners
• Put a stop to imposing penalty of Rs. 3,000 for passenger refusal.

What are the Union heads saying:

• "We don't want to comment on the views of any particular bus operators' body, but tomorrow's strike will be total, which will also include the state transport department-run buses, ferry service, contract carriages and luxury taxis," said Ramen Pandey, INTUC state president.
• Claiming yesterday's taxi strike as 100 per cent successful, CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty alleged the police arrested few taxi drivers.
• He said the government should have taken initiatives to listen to the taxi unions' demands rather than using the police to arrest them.
• "Yesterday's strike was an absolute success... Police have arrested few taxi drivers, but it will not help the situation.
• The state government should have called them and looked for an amicable solution," Mr Chakraborty said.
• Chakraborty also said, "Indefinite means indefinite. It will continue until the government responds properly... We cannot help it because the sufferings of the people are because of the government."

Mamata Banerjee's failed attempt

• So far, no response has come from the state government's side and is thus, raising questions on Mamata Government.
• In West Bengal, the fares were last revised in November 2012.
• In August, West Bengal Chief Minister had decided to hike bus fares in the State.
• She had said, the fares will go up by Re 1 at every stage and the minimum fare will now be Rs 6.
• But it seems Mamata didi's try to score on slow pitch did not work and thus, causing trouble to people of the state as well.