Strike hits banking operations in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Sep 2 (PTI) Banking operations across Gujaratwere badly hit today as more than 30,000 employees of variouspublic sector banks participated in the general strike calledby trade unions to protest "anti-labour policies" of theCentral government. However, strike had no effect on any other sector in thestate as all other central government department functionednormally. The Maha-Gujarat Bank Employees Association (MBEA) termedtoday’s strike as a "total success", as clearing worth Rs1,500 crore across the state was held up due to the strike. However, private sector banks continued their operationsnormally. "The strike was a total success, as most PSU banks inGujarat remained closed today. More than 30,000 employees andofficers of these banks stayed away from work, as a result,clearing worth Rs 1,500 crore held up across the state," saidGeneral Secretary of MBEA Janak Rawal in a statement here. Ten central trade unions have called for a one-daynationwide strike today, protesting the "anti-worker" changesin labour laws and the Centre’s "indifference" to theirdemands for better wages. The call was supported by various employee unions ofpublic sector banks across India. Apart from banking, the strike did not leave any majorimpact on people’s lives in the state, as various otherservices, such as insurance, post, road transport and Railwayscontinued their operations without any major hurdle. Meanwhile, city police have detained at least 150 persons,associated with various trade unions, for trying to hold aprotest rally on Ashram Road during morning. The rally was been organized under the aegis of TradeUnion Centre of India(TUCI) and Gujarat Federation of TradeUnions (GFTU). Before the rally was to commence from Paldi area, policedetained 151 agitators. Those who were detained by Ellisbridgepolice include president of TUCI Amrish Patel. "Police detained 151 persons from Maharana Pratap Complexnear VS Hospital this morning. They have been kept at thepolice headquarters in Shahibaug. They will be released thisevening," said, Police Station Officer of Ellisbridge. According to Patel, police detained them without anyprovocation. "We were arrested before we started our rally. We condemnsuch dictatorial attitude of the police, which tried to muzzleour voice of dissent. The strike call was successful acrossGujarat," claimed Patel. PTI PJT PD DKABI