Bharat Bandh: The trade union strike in 15 points

New Delhi, Sept 2: Nation-wide strike has paralysed normal life in some states especially Kerala, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, affecting essential services including transport and banking. Reports says that impact of strike was not seen in Delhi, Mumbai.

Bharat Bandh was called by 10 central trade unions against "anti-worker" changes in labour laws and the Centre's "indifference" to their demands for better wages. "

Here are the 15 points we should know about how Bandh has affected normal life across the nation.

1. As per reports, around 18 crore workers have participated in the strike across the nation.
2. Public sector banks were found closed across the country, but private banks were functioning in most states.
3. In Delhi, buses were found running and essential services like power and water supply were not affected by the Bandh call.
4. Ground reports say that medical facilities were hit in two Delhi hospitals including RML and Safdarjung.
5. Nurses were also seen protesting at RML Hospital(Delhi), demanding salary hike. Nurses said that they will continue protest but won't leave patients in lurch.
6. Delhi Govt later imposed Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against nurses' strike.
7. It was business as usual for public transport in Mumbai. The suburban trains, autorickshaws, taxis and city buses continued to operate normally, without affecting the daily schedule of lakhs of commuters in Mumbai and suburbs.
8. Public transport across Haryana was affected on Friday. The strike left tens of thousands of passengers in a lurch. However, the water and electricity supply was not affected across the state.
9. The strike, called by various State Roadways employees associations, largely hit Rohtak, Fatehabad, Ambala, Faridabad and Yamunanagar districts.
10. The country-wide strike called by central trade unions did not have much impact in West Bengal till late morning hours as transport services functioned normally.
11. In Bengal, Government buses and other private vehicles were operating normally on the roads. Train services at Sealdah and Howrah sections, and Metro Rail services were also as usual.
12. The one-day nationwide strike called by ten central trade unions today evoked a mixed response in Karnataka.
13. While the state-run transport buses remained off the roads causing inconvenience to office-goers and those travelling to distant places, shops, establishments, markets and hotels functioned normally.
14. Though some auto and cab unions had announced their support for the bandh, their movement was by and large normal in Bengaluru. Metro services were also functioning normally.
15. Impact of Bandh was clearly visible in Kerala.While public transport service across the state was not operating, private vehicles were seen on the roads.

OneIndia news

(With inputs from agencies)