Bandh peaceful, banks shut

BANGALORE: The nationwide bandh called by various labour organisations pressing for the implementation of their demands, went off peacefully in Karnataka, though it evoked a mixed response. While the bandh was almost complete in cities like Bangalore, Udupi, Bhadravati and Mangalore, it met with a lukewarm response in other parts of the state.Public sector undertakings (PSUs), banks and other industrial and business establishments were shut in most parts of the state, while government offices, a majority of schools and colleges remained open.Since the strike was also supported by 85,000 autorikshaws in Bangalore, commuters, particularly those arriving from out of city, were put to hardship. However, to facilitate public transport, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) deployed more buses in the city.Labour organisations led by the Left parties held protest marches, dharnas and rallies in many parts of the state, and condemned the alleged anti-labour and antipeople policies of the Congress- led UPA government at the Centre. The bandh was also supported by Anganawadi workers, contract employees of various government departments and the state road transport corporation employees.Among others, the major demands of the labour organisations include: withdrawal of the Bill on privatisation of pension, which was already tabled in Parliament, implementation of the national wage policy fixing a minimum wage of Rs 10,000 per month, per labourer and regularisation of services of contract labour in various PSUs.