West Bengal: Nabanna issues no guidelines for ‘Bharat Bandh’
No guidelines have been issued by the Nabbana (state secretariat) for the ‘Bharat Bandh’. Although the state administration is not directly in favor of the ‘Bharat Bandh’, the ruling Trinamool Congress has supported the farmers' movement. Meanwhile, the Finance Department of the state has not issued guidelines to make the attendance of government employees compulsory on the day of ‘Bharat Bandh’.
FollowThe impact of the ‘Bharat Bandh’, called by farmers' organizations demanding the repeal of the Centre's agricultural law, could be felt on the roads of Bengal today (December 8). Although the state administration is not directly in favor of the ‘Bharat Bandh’, the ruling Trinamool Congress has supported the farmers' movement. Meanwhile, the Finance Department of the state has not issued guidelines to make the attendance of government employees compulsory on the day of ‘Bharat Bandh’.
In the past, the finance ministry used to issue guidelines to ensure the attendance of government employees in the office on the day of the strike. It said all government and government-run offices would remain open, workers must be present (as stated in the previous strikes, those who have offices are required to be present), half-day, full-day or any other holiday will not be allowed on the strike day. However, there will be a discount on hospitalization, death of a relative or prior leave.
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For ‘Bharat Bandh’ no such guideline was published from Nabanna (state secretariat) till 9.30 pm on Monday (December 7). The administration as well as the ruling party remained silent about the strike. No specific statement was received from the administration on this day.
However, officials of the transport department held a meeting with the representatives of various transport organizations on Monday to keep the traffic normal. The government also appealed to the transport organization to keep the service normal. According to the sources of the bus owners' organizations, the administration has not taken a very strict stand for the ‘Bharat Bandh’.
According to the concerned quarters, if there are fewer people on the road, the number of buses may also decrease. If there is a risk of vandalism due to the strike, the number of buses on the road may decrease automatically.
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Representatives of the taxi association and app-cab organizations did not attend the meeting which was called by the transport department. Most of the political parties have expressed support for the strike. The State Transport Corporation, however, said they would keep the bus service normal. Rail and metro services will also remain normal.
