Strike has little impact in Tamilnadu

CHENNAI: The general strike called by the Central Trade Unions against the ‘anti-people and anti-labour policies of the UPA Government’ did not evoke much response with state transport corporation buses plying normally and offi ces registering more or less usual attendance. Banking services were however hit; Auto rickshaws plied normally though some of them were attacked by trade union activists. However, such incidents were few and far in between. Meanwhile, banking services were affected in Tamil Nadu as major trade union wings participated in the nationwide strike call pressing for various demands. According to sources, more than eight lakh bank employees took part in the strike all over India. Offi ces of BSNL too remained without any activity as its employees took part in the strike, reports said. A report from Tiruchirapalli said banking and industrial activities were severely affected in Tiruchirapalli, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam Districts of Tamil Nadu as most of the employees kept away from work. Work in the public sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) here was almost paralysed as most of the BHEL workers stayed away from fi rst shift onwards. Similarly, the defencecontrolled OFT and HAPP units functioned with only skeleton number of employees that too those meant for essential services, according to offi cial sources. All incoming and outgoing fl ights operated from here as usual, the sources added. All the essential services like milk and vegetables, bus services were maintained as usual. Since the ruling AIADMK-affi liated Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai stayed away from the strike, most of the buses of the Tamil Nadu State transport Corporation operated as usual. The employees of various banks and the public sector insurance companies belonging to various trade unions staged slogan shouting demonstration in front of their respective offi ces across the central parts of Tamil Nadu. The workers of the BHEL, OFT and HAPP were also staged similar demonstrations in front of their factory gates. Meanwhile, the members of various trade unions including BMS-INTUCAITUC- HMS-CITU-AIUTUC- AICCTU- TUCCUTUC- LPF and SEWAstaged a joint dharna near Marakkadai in the city and expressed their solidarity towards the nationwide strike. AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told UNI over phone that the AIBEA would support the demands of Trade Unions like taking concrete measures to contain price rise and those for linkage of employment protection with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs. A report from Coimbatore said the nationwide bandh called by various trade unions and worker organisations evoked poor response today in this western part of Tamil Nadu. Normal life was not affected in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Nilgiris and Erode Districts. Government buses were plying and only few autos were off the road. In this district, government buses were plying as usual and only few Industries were affected due to absence of workers. Most of the nationalised banks were working with only skeleton staff. Tirupur District, which has major hosiery units, was not affected much. In Erode and Nilgiris Districts also, there was not much response to the strike call. Police said no untoward incident was reported so far and police has made elaborate security arrangements in all the important points to prevent any such incident.