The dusk to dawn strike called by the trade unions on Friday has evoked either lukewarm or mixed response in Karnataka affecting normal life as the State-run transport corporation had withdrawn its services across the State.
'Bharat Bandh' called by various trade unions in protest against alleged anti-worker policy of the Centre passed off peacefully in Karnataka however with mixed response. While it was total in parts of the State including IT City, the Bandh evoked lukewarm response in Mumbai-Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka regions.
The bus services, which were suspended since morning, resumed in the afternoon and travelling public, who faced hardship in reaching their destination, heaved a sigh of relief as BMTC and KSRTC started running the services.
Members of various Trade Unions took out rallies in various parts of the state and raised slogans against alleged anti-labour policy of the Centre and demanded hike in daily wage from `18,000 to `25,000 per month.
According to police no untoward incident reported from any part of the state as the bandh passed off peacefully. While schools and colleges were declared holiday as a precautionary measure, a number of shops and establishments were open in many parts of Bengaluru.
In IT city Bengaluru Banks, Government Offices both State and Central, lIC and others did not function as workers have joined the Strike. However, Hotels, Petrol pumps were open. Schools and Colleges were declared holiday in many parts of the State and examinations scheduled for Friday were postponed in view of Bandh.
The transport of passengers from Bengaluru International Airport was not affected as Airport taxi operations remained normal. Members of Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers of Karnataka State took out a huge procession on the main roads to Freedom Park where leaders addressed them condemning the central government for its alleged anti-workers policy.
In Mysuru the Bandh called by 11 central trade unions evoked a good response. The KSRTC withdrew the inter-city services from Mysuru following protest by the trade union leaders. However, urban services were seen operating. In Hyderabad-Karnataka region the Bandh did not affect normal life, while there was mixed response in Koppal and Ballari Districts.
The State run transport services was off the road and shops, markets, banks and factories were shut, private buses, taxis and autos kept off the roads left the people struggle for commuting.
However shops, establishments, markets and hotels functioned normally. Though some auto and cab unions had announced their support for the bandh, their movement was by and large normal in Bengaluru.
The strike did not affect IT and biotech firms in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubblli.
In spite of the State Government's offices remaining open, attendance was thin in the first hour in the absence of alternative transport for commuting from their houses in many parts of the State.
Barring the Bharat Mazdoor Sangh, all central and State level trade unions took part in the bandh.