Bharat Bandh: Banking services partially hit, top highlights of the big story

A 48-hour Bharat Bhand called by several trade unions, which includes banking staff, to protest government policies began in several states on Monday, having an impact on day to day life in some parts of the country.

Here’s 10-point guide to this story:

1) Banking services were partially hit as a section of employees did not report for duty, PTI reported. Transactions at many public sector banks were hit and delays were expected in cheque clearances. However, there was hardly any impact on the functioning of most private sector banks

2) The impact of the strike is evident in eastern part of India as several branches of public sector banks there are shut, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) General Secretary CH Venkatachalam said. In the other regions, branches are open as officers are present but services are being hit because many employees are participating in the protest, he said.

3) Bank unions are protesting against the government move to privatise two public sector banks as announced in Union Budget 2022. They are also holding out for a rise in interest rate on deposits and reduction in service charges.

4) Roads in Kerala, where trade unions hold considerable sway, wore a deserted look, and only a few private vehicles could be seen. Buses run by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) were off the roads.

5) However, emergency services have been kept out from the protest. The Kerala High Court has also restrained five unions at the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) from taking part. The police in the state have made arrangements for those who need emergency travel facilities to reach railway stations and hospitals.

6) In Bengal, although the trade unions could be seen protesting on the streets, the state government has asked all offices to remain open and ordered employees to report for duty. Members from the Left Front gathered in huge numbers and blocked railway tracks at the Jadavpur Railway Station in Kolkata.

7) The call for the Bharat Bandh was given by a joint forum of central trade unions, to protest against government policies affecting workers, farmers, and people. Apart from the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), almost all other trade unions are participating in the strike, news agency ANI reported.

8) All Indian Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told news agency PTI that they are expecting participation of more than 20 crore formal and informal workers with mass mobilisation of workers across India. Workers in the entire coal mining belt in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have joined the protest, she said.

9) The unions in railways and defence sector are also regarded as likely to mobilise in support of strike at several spots. Roadways, transport workers and electricity workers have decided to join the strike besides those from sectors such as steel, oil, telecom, coal, postal, income tax, copper, and insurance.

10) The Power Ministry offer suggestions to all the state-run utilities and other agencies to be on high alert and ensure continuous electricity supply and stability of the national grid. Power supply to those engaged in essential services such as hospitals, defence, and railways must be ensured, the ministry's advisory said and suggested setting up of a day and night control room for information dissemination and handling any kind of uncertainty.

Also Read: Bharat Bandh: 48-hour strike begins, partial response seen in states