Kerala to finally regulate 'hartals'

Kerala's notorious 'hartals' or shutdowns may come to an end if a bill the government plans to introduce in the assembly becomes a law.

"The government will move the bill in the assembly session that begins from November 30," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Friday.

He said this in a statement after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Kerala, one of the country's earliest Left bastions, is notorious for frequent 'hartals' called by political parties and trade unions that invariably cause inconvenience to ordinary people.

The proposed bill will make forcible closure of shops, businesses and educational institutions and restricting free movement of vehicles as well as people punishable, with jail terms of six months, a fine or both.