Bengal govt strikes down leave of state employees for 28 Feb

The Mamata Banerjee government put itself on the path of conflict with its own employees. The chief secretary Samar Ghosh on Wednesday issued a written order warning the state government employees that they would not be granted any leave of absence if they did not report for duty on February 28. Almost all major central trade unions have given a call to observe general strike throughout the country on that day to protest against the price rise, growing unemployment and encroachment on the workers’ rights etc. Charged by the recent successful rally at Brigade Parade Ground, the CPI (M) and other left parties have decided to turn it into a 24 hours Bandh with the transport workers, shop employees, students and teachers joining the strike. The state transport minister Madan Mitra has already indicated that it would do its utmost to keep the public transport on the roads on that day. The chief secretary in his letter reminded the employees that “All state government offices will remain open on that day and all government employees should report for duty.” He has also warned that “Attempts at forcible closure of government offices, shops, markets, educational institutions, industrial establishments etc. should be firmly dealt with.” However, the chief secretary’s letter asking the government employees to refrain from taking a leave on that day has created quite a stir among the employees. It has evoked angry protest from the government employees. The CPI (M) led state coordination committee and two other employees associations have shot off letters and asked the chief secretary to withdraw his order. In the past during the Congress regime the state government used to be embroiled in such conflict with the employees when the Left called bandhs. This time if the ruling Trinamool Congress (TC) decides to take a proactive role to oppose the strike, chances of violent clashes could not be ruled out.