NEW DELHI : In a ‘Bharat Bandh’ across the country, an estimated 1.8 million government workers in sectors like banking and telecom are on strike to protest against new labour and investment policies.Several central trade unions have called for a one-day nationwide strike today.

All major unions, except RSS-associated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh BMS have joined the strike call. ts for two-year bonus and hike in minimum wage as inadequate. Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has said that the government wants a harmonious working relation with the trade unions. Seeking the cooperation and support of trade unions, Mr. Dattatreya said the NDA Government is focused on improving their working conditions, health, wage, job security and social security.

In most states, government banks and offices are closed. Public transport is unaffected in most states except in Kerala where the government is running special buses. Schools, colleges and private banks are open across the country. Nurses and radiologists have separately announced an indefinite strike, but have said they will attend to emergency cases.

In Mumbai and Delhi, buses are running and essentials like power and water supply have not been affected.Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said her government will not allow offices or factories to close and that public transport will run as usual. Left parties have vowed to ensure that the strike is successful in the state.

In Karnataka, the Congress government is supporting the strike called by trade unions and schools and colleges are closed. Public transport has been partially hit with very few state-run buses on the roads. Auto rickshaws and taxis are operating as usual but are reportedly overcharging.

Workers of state-run Coal India Ltd are among those who are on strike today. Power plants have enough coal on hand to operate even if nothing is mined over the next 50 to 60 days, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

Trade unions including the All India Trade Unions Congress and Centre of Indian Trade Unions rejected a government appeal on Tuesday to call off the strike, saying it failed to address their demands. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP, is not joining the strike.

They have objected to the government loosening the norms for foreign investment in areas like insurance and defence. They are also opposed to a plan to close loss-making state-run firms. The government aims to raise Rs. 55,907 crore ($8.35 billion) through privatisation this fiscal year, and shut down some companies. Losses at 77 state-run companies exceeded $4 billion or Rs. 26,780 crore in the last fiscal year.

To persuade the unions to call off the strike, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday that the government will release state employees’ bonuses for the last two years, and increase minimum wages for unskilled labourers.

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