Bharat Bandh on 28-29 March: What Services Will Be Affected?
A joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on 28-29 March.
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A joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on 28-29 March, to protest against Central government's "anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people and anti-national policies" that affect workers.
This decision to call was taken after a meeting of the joint platform of central trade unions on 22 March 2022.
Which services are likely to be affected? Here's all you need to know.
Which unions are participating in the strike?
This includes the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).
How will power supply be affected?
In response to the call for the strike, the Union Power Ministry issued an advisory to States, CEA, All RPCs, CPSUs, NLDC, RLDCs to ensure maintaining and reliability of the electricity grid.
It said that electricity to essential services like hospitals, railways, defence etc, should be ensured and that additional manpower may be deployed to handle emergency situations.
Will banking services be disrupted?
The banking sector will be joining the strike, the All India Bank Employees Association said in a post on Facebook to protest against the central government's bid to privatise public sector banks, as well as the Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2021.
The State Bank of India has issued a statement informing customers that banking services may be impacted on these days.
"We advise that while the bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the days of strike, it is likely that work in our bank may be impacted to a limited extent, by the strike," SBI said in a regulatory filing.
What about transport services?
While the unions said that the transport sector have extended the support for the nationwide strike, it is not likely to be affected.
Which are the other sectors that could be affected?
The strike notices have been given by unions in the sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, insurance as well.
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