AGARTALA, Feb 28 � The 24-hour countrywide strike called by major trade unions in protest against the �anti-labour� policies of the UPA Government and rising prices today evoked a mass response in the Left-ruled Tripura with the banking and transport sectors hit hard and shops remaining shut.
The strike hit the functioning of banks and offices as pro-Left unions in the State sector also joined the protest against the �neo-liberal economic and labour policies� pursued by the UPA Government. In the capital town, the normal functioning of PSU banks was hit due to the strike. A number of auto and taxi drivers kept their vehicles off the roads to take part in the protest.
Reports from across the State said in most places, the mobility of people was hit as the impact of the strike was near total with buses, taxis and autorickshaws keeping off the roads. Train and air services were also affected due to the trade union-sponsored strike. �The shutdown in the banking and financial sectors has been complete. The RBI�s clearing houses are closed. So the private and foreign banks where we do not have a presence also get affected,� said a CITU leader here today.
The key demands of the unions include guarantee of labour rights, end to the contract labour system, bringing workers in the unorganised sector under the social security net and pension benefits for all workers. The CITU, All India Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and the pro-Bharatiya Janata Party Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh are also supporting the strike.
