Bill to regulate strike introduced in Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3: Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Dec 2 introduced in the state Assembly a bill to regulate 'hartal' (strikes) amidst protest by CPI-M headed LDF Opposition.

After a heated debate on the bill, the House referred the same to select committee for consideration.

Piloting the bill titled 'Kerala state Hartal Regulation Bill-2015', State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government brought the legislation to curb strikes and it has no intention to put ban on strikes and agitations of trade unions.

The Government would not infringe into the freedom of any person through the legislation, he added. LDF Opposition members termed the bill as undemocratic and violated fundamental rights of persons.

The bill, among other things, wanted the organisation that call for hartals to give three days prior notice and termed all strikes declared with prior information as illegal.

Forcefull closing of shops, business establishments and other institutions in the name of hartal would be punishable under the new law.

Government brought the legislation in the wake of large-scale criticism from various quarters on frequent call for hartals by different organizations even on flimsy reasons.

PTI