Bharat Bandh: Road-rail traffic, banking services hit across country

Follow us on

Indiatvnews.com brings to you the latest updates from Bharat Bandh

Mumbai News Update: Thousands of people assembled in Mumbai's Azad Maidan to support the all-India strike given by trade unions across the country. "We are here to protest the anti-labour policies of the government," one of the protester said. The Bharat Bandh protest in Mumbai is peaceful so far with normal traffic seen in many places. 

Hyderabad News Update: Massive protest is underway in Hyderabad as thousands assembled to bring attention to what they called 'anti-worker policies." Multiple trade unions across the country have called for a nationwide strike. Auto services and bus transportation was hit at several places across the city, news reports said. 

10:29 am: Tamil Nadu: Protest underway on Mount road in Chennai. Ten trade unions have called for Bharat Bandh today against 'anti-worker policies of Central Govt'

09:56 am: Mumbai: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited employees protest against Govt decision of strategic disinvestment of Bharat Petroleum

08:23 am: Protesters in West Bengal block railway track in Kanchrapara,North 24 Parganas. Ten trade unions have called for Bharat Bandh today against 'anti-worker policies of the Central government 

08:01 am: Protesters in West Bengal block train route in Howrah

07:27 am: The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to take necessary steps for ensuring law and order in the state in view of the nationwide strike called by 10 central trade unions today. The high court's order came while it was hearing a PIL moved by a practicing lawyer seeking a direction to the state government to make sure that there is no disruption of normal life during the strike.​

07:24 am: As ten trade unions and some associations geared up for a nationwide stir against the Centre's alleged anti-labour policies, tight security has been placed to prevent a forced shutdown in Karnataka. Schools and colleges in the state will remain open on Wednesday.​

07:21 am: The workmen staff of the country's apex bank will join the country-wide trade union strike today, sources in RBI's employees' unions have said. Their joining in the strike is expected to add to the disruption in banking services.

07:19 am: Auto component major Bosch has said its workers' bodies at plants in Karnataka and Rajasthan have given a notice to participate in the general strike called by central trade unions. A notice of strike has been received from the respective trade unions at the company's plants situated at Bidadi and Naganathapura (Karnataka) and Jaipur (Rajasthan) stating that they are participating in the all India general strike today.

07:12 am: Amid apprehension of violence during the nationwide trade union strike today, the West Bengal government has promised an insurance cover of up to Rs 6 lakh for vehicles damaged due to violence. Suvendu Adhikari, the state's transport minister, said FIRs will be registered within 24 hours of such incidents taking place. He said associations and unions of private buses, taxi and app-based cab operators have committed to ensuring normal services across the state during the stir following meetings with transport department officials.

07:06 am: Joint Council of Action of income tax employees' federation (ITEF) of Ghaziabad and Income Tax Gazetted Officers Association have called for a national-wide strike today. At least 160 income tax department employees affiliated with ITEF and 20 gazetted officers related to ITGOA will abstain from their work, ITEF general secretary KC Shukla said.​​

Why trade unions have called for Bharat Bandh?

Schools, colleges, essential food supplies and usual business is likely to be severely hit today amid all-India strike - Bharat Bandh - called by several trade unions including farmers and bank unions. The all-India Bharat Bandh call is supported by Congress, Left parties and several independent unions. More than ten central trade unions are supporting today's general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' to protest against what they have called "the anti-labour policies" of the government. The Communist Party of India has termed it as 'Gramin Bharat Bandh'.

Ten central trade unions have said around 25 crore people will participate in the nationwide strike to protest against the government's "anti-people" policies. Trade unions INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC along with various sectoral independent federations and associations had adopted a declaration in September last to go on the nationwide strike on January 8.

Also Read | ICAR NET Exam 2019 postponed in wake of Bharat Bandh 

Also Read | Bharat Bandh on January 8: Banking, ATM services to be affected