Normal life hit in Goa due to strike

Normal life was hit in Goa as ten central trade unions today went on a day-long nationwide strike to protest against changes in labour laws and privatisation of PSUs.
Streets donned a deserted look during morning hours as private buses and state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) buses remained off the roads.
Various banks and insurance firms that have joined the stike call, also remained shut.
The situation is peaceful with no untoward incident reported in the state till now, a senior police official said.
"Towns of Calangute, Ponda and Bicholim remained totally shut. All shops and transport have remained closed in support of the strike," convenor, Goa Convention of Workers and All Goa Transport Operators Associations, Suhas Naik said.

He said the state government was trying to force employees of KTCL to run buses but the workers refused to bow down.

"The strike is peaceful and we have appealed to people to maintain peace," Naik said.
All Goa Private Bus Owners Association president Sudip Tamankar said private buses have joined the strike and will not ply till evening.
Taxi service in the state was also affected as vehicles were withdrawn since last mid night.
"Taxis from airport and railway stations were withdrawn since last night. Not a single taxi was plying from morning," secretary, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association, Vinayak Nanoskar said.

Attendance in schools also remained thin as vehicles ferrying students did not operate.