Hartal to demand early clearance of financial package for FACT

: Private buses were off the roads and shops and commercial establishments remained shut in Ernakulam district today in support of the 12 hour hartal called by the 'Save FACT Action committee', demanding early clearance of the Rs 991 crore fianancial revival package for the ailing Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT).
Complete absence of private bus hit office goers hard. However state owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses offered some services. Private cars and two wheelers were on the roads while autorickshaws did not ply.
The hartal, which began at 6 AM, was called by the Committee, comprising various trade unions of FACT and employees organisations.

Hartal supporters also blocked some trains at Kalamassery.
A 24-hour industrial strike, which began at midnight yesterday, is also on in support of the hartal.
The Save Fact action committee is demanding clearance of the Rs 991 crore long pending financial revival package for FACT, which was recommended by the Board for Reconstruction of Public sector Enterprises.
The action committee members are also observing a relay hunger strike since the past three months to press their demand.