HYDERABAD: The two-day nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s policies hit banking services and coal production among other services in Telangana on the first day of the stir on Monday.
However, the strike did not impact normal activity in Greater Hyderabad as RTC buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws plied as usual, although it had some impact in the districts of Khammam and Nalgonda, where the left parties and its trade unions enjoy considerable influence.
Protesting the government’s plan to privatise public sector undertakings, bank employees joined the strike paralysing services across the state, including in Hyderabad, in most public sector banks. “Barring SBI, cash operations in all other banks were hit in the state. However non-cash operations remained unaffected,” AP & Telangana Bank Employees’ Federation (AIBEA) secretary MS Kumar said.
Clearing operations were also affected. Bank unions such as All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) have supported the call for the two-day national bandh. Kumar said that similar conditions were expected on Tuesday.
Coal production at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) was hit as employees struck work to oppose the Centre’s move to auction four coal blocks. With the majority of 42,000 workers participating, coal extraction in SCCL was affected.
