#BharatBandh partially affects normal life in West Bengal

After workers from ten different central trade unions have gone on strike for Bharat Bandh today, normal life has been partially affected in West Bengal.

The central trade unions are protesting against the policies of BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

Train services on South Eastern railway were normal although Eastern railway officials said suburban services in the Sealdah south section were hit for sometime in the morning due to blockade at some places.

Metro Rail services were operating normally, officials said. Shops, markets and business establishments in most areas remained closed. State administration was plying a large fleet of public buses while private buses and taxis were also seen on the streets though their number was less compared to other week days.

A senior Kolkata Police official said, "Although buses are plying, the number of passengers is less." West Bengal government and opposition Left Front locked horns over the strike call, with the former issuing circulars to employees and making all out efforts to keep life normal and the latter asking people to "tear away circulars".

Airport officials here said that flights of Air India and other airlines operated normally at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. They, however, said passengers faced inconvenience due to inadequate number of taxis at the airport.

As many as 12 central trade unions had given the strike call over a 12-point charter of demands, including withdrawal of the proposed "anti-worker" amendments in labour laws and stopping the disinvestment and privatisation of PSUs.

However Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and National Front of Trade Union known to be BJP supporters pulled out saying the government needed to be given time to fulfil its promises on the basic demands.

(with inputs from PTI)