One-day strike total flop in State

Several central government offices, including post offices remained closed. The situation was similar with banks too in the state and no transaction was carried out on Friday. However, there was no response from the trading community to the bandh call as shops and other business establishments functioned as usual. As far as the transport network was concerned, all modes, including govt and private buses, autos, taxis and cabs, plied normal, except some mild protests by members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) in railway stations due to which the EMUs suffered minor delay. In some districts the bus services were operated with police escort. 

However, as a precautionary measure, inter-state bus services to the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, were operated only up to Tamil Nadu borders. But, in the return direction, buses from these states were plying without any trouble to Tamil Nadu. Schools and colleges remained open and auto ferrying children stuck to their schedule. But, in districts like Tirupur, powerloom and knitwear weavers stayed away from work. Similarly, in Dindigul district, the  Oddanchathiram vegetable market, one of the biggest in the state,  remained closed.  

Activists of trade unions staged road roko and rail roko agitations at many places.  Several activists of CITU, AITUC and LPF were taken into custody for staging road roko in different areas. About 50 people affiliated to AITUC and CITU were arrested at Manapparai Railway Station in Tiruchy, when they blocked the Dindigul-Tiruchy passenger train. 

All major unions, barring Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the labour wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), joined the strike, to protest against the NDA’s alleged anti-people policies and to press their 12-point charter of demands. The TUs were demanding, among other things, minimum monthly pay of Rs 18,000, pension of Rs 3,000 per month and revocation of certain amendments to labour laws proposed by the Centre.

The nation-wide strike call given by trade unions evoked good response in Puducherry on Friday.  As many as 1200 volunteers of different trade unions were arrested when they put up road blockades at eight different points including Karaikal. Almost all the shops and business establishments remained shut, buses (except TN and Puducherry Road Transport Corporation buses), taxis, autos, three wheeler passenger tempos went off the roads and private schools declared a holiday. However, government schools functioned with thin attendance. Banking services were affected. Government offices (both Central and state) worked with lean staff and cinema halls suspended their noon and matinee shows.