Kerala mulling bill to curb shutdowns: Minister

The Kerala government is mulling a bill to curb 'hartals' (shutdowns), Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday.

"The frequent calls of hartals have become a menace to the people and the society at large. Even the Kerala high court has said that it's high time to rein in hartals and hence, I have decided to seek the opinion on this from all, as we are now getting ready to prepare a new bill to curb hartals," Chennithala wrote on his Facebook page.

The proposed bill would include a clause that says any hartal call should be announced three days ahead.

"During such hartal days, forceful closure of shops and establishments will be punishable with an imprisonment term of six months, a fine or both. The police will ensure that there will be no restriction in the movement of vehicles and if any official fails in his duty, action will be taken," Chennithala added.

He also sought the opinion of people through the social media post.