Trade unions go on 24-hour nationwide bandh

NEW DELHI: Trade unions have called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on Tuesday to protest against price rise, streamlining of the rationing system and proper implementation of labour laws.

The strike, which is expected to witness a participation of nearly six crore workers under the banner of nine trade unions, has also been called to protest against issues like disinvestment of public sector, retrenchment and entry of foreign capital in retail market.

"Nearly six crore workers will participate in the strike across the country. Those employed in private sector will also join the strike in many places," All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary and CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta told PTI.

The bandh is likely to have maximum impact in Kolkata with airlines having cancelled their flights to and from the city on Tuesday. Kingfisher has cancelled 29 flights, including one international, while Jet Airways and its low cost arm JetLite have cancelled a total of 70 flights to and from the city.

Both the airlines have cancelled their flights to and from Mumbai, New Delhi, Silchar, Bagdogra, Aizwal, Ranchi, Agartala, Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati, Patna, Chennai, Imphal, Vishakhapatnam, Bangalore and Port Blair.

Kingfisher has cancelled their Dhaka flight while Jet their flight to Bangkok.

Banking services are also likely to be affected as most of the nationalised banks like PNB, Vijaya Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce are joining the strike.