Bandh in Mumbai evokes good response in industries, banks

Shiv Sena, Communists together fail to have their magic

Mumbaikars had a normal day today as the two day national strike called by 11 Central trade unions did not paralyse city’s life line, the suburban railway and BEST services. Besides, auto rikshaws, taxies and private buses were plying normally while the functioning of shops, hotels and restaurants, private offices was quite normal.

Schools and Colleges were open thanks to the decision by several unions representing teachers, junior and senior college professors not to participate in Bharat Bandh. Furthermore,  about 150 single screen theaters and multiplexes had normal operations.

There was a thin presentee in most of the nationalized and cooperative banks  and also in government and semi government offices several employees participated in today’s bandh. However, Mumbaikars had a respite as ATMs were operating normally.

Police had beefed up security across the city.

BEST runs a total of 4,680 buses ferrying  about 5 million passengers daily. On the other hand, about 7 million commuters travel in Mumbai’s suburban train services. They were less crowded so also railway stations. Trade unions led by Hind Mazdoor Sabha president Sharad Rao had already announced on Tuesday not participate in the Bharat bandh proposed on February 20 and 21.

However, Shiv Sena, which had joined hands with its long time rival Communists to make the two day strike a success, failed to have its magic. Saffron party led trade unions, which has  marginal presence in transport services, did not want to attract wrath from Mumbaikars especially when the 12th standard examination will begin on Thursday.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who had two hour long meeting with CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta, had exhorted his party members not to disrupt city’s normalcy citing 12th standard examination though his party led unions in banks, engineering, manufacturing, automobile and ports made all efforts to seek total support for two day bandh.

Rao justified his decision to keep his unions away from two day strike. He told Business Standard “All our majority demands relating to BEST, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation were either met or in the process. Besides, there has been revision in auto and rikshaw fares while my case against the Mumbai civic body with regard to hawkers is expected to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court.

On top of it, the Prime Minister had set up a high level committee of ministers and not of bureaucrats which met on January 19 to discuss issues raised by trade unions.” Shiv Sena and Communists could have participated at the meeting of Prime Minister appointed committee instead of going ahead with two day strike.

On the other hand, Sena leader and trade unionist Suryakant Mahadik claimed that 3,000 units across Maharashtra and rest of India totally participated in the two day strike. “Our units in M&M, Godrej, L&T, Bajaj Auto, city and general post offices, Mumbai Port Trust and Jawahar Nehru Port Trust and malls worked hard for a total bandh,” he informed. Mahadik blamed Rao for his decision to withdraw from two day strike.

Employees on strike to work on a weekly off

Employees of several companies including L&T had participated in two day national strike. However, they have assured the management to compensate by working on one of the weekly off and also on national holiday. This was confirmed by Shiv Sena leader and trade union leader Suryakant Mahadik whose unit is quite active in L&T’s Powai unit. He told Business Standard “Local units are free to take decision at their levels.”