Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday cried out against bandh calling upon the people of her State not to support the general strike called by the Central trade unions on February 20 and 21.
The Chief Minister who had vowed to end the bandh culture that had been plaguing the State for years when she came to power after 2011 Assembly elections, said, “Bengal will show the world that it has shunned the culture of bandh and is prepared to surge ahead by discarding such anti-people calls given by the musclemen of some political parties.”
Addressing a huge gathering at a Government function at Amtala in South 24-Parganas where she declared a host of developmental projects, Banerjee called upon the people to foil the bandh “and in the course of doing so if you sustain losses by way of damages done to your properties and shops by the strikers then the Government will compensate for all such losses.”
Warning the Government servants against joining the general strike, she said, “If you defy the Government order you will do so at your own peril” adding “I request you with folded hands” not to indulge in acts that would lead to stagnation of your state’s economy.”
Her public speech apart, Banerjee also caused the top administrative brass to issue a circular asking the Government employees to report for work on the said days.
A circular issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra cancelled all the leaves and asked the employees to report for work warning any absence from duty without adequate cause would be met with a show-cause notice and a deduction of a day’s salary. The circular said the administration would ensure normal running of public transport.
Reacting sharply to Banerjee’s call to foil the bandh, State Opposition leader Suryakanto Mishra said, “More the Chief Minister raises a hue and cry against the general strike, more she will ensure its success.”
For the records, the Calcutta High Court had in a ruling last week termed any bandh unconstitutional holding the caller of the bandh would have to make good the losses if any sustained by any party on account of the bandh.
