2-day strike in Bengaluru to hit transport, banking

BENGALURU: The strike on Tuesday and Wednesday called by trade unions to protest the Centre’s antiworker policies is expected to disrupt normal life in Bengaluru, affecting public transport, banking operations and education institutions.
Bengaluru Urban district administration announced a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday, and remained mum about the second day of the strike. Most private schools are closed on both days.
Visvesvaraya Technological University, Kuvempu University, Davanagere University and Tumakuru University have postponed their exams scheduled for the two days.JEE-Main exam aspirants are worried as no decision has been taken yet. The exam is slated to be held from January 8 to 12.
BMTC and KSRTC services are likely to be affected on both days. App-based cabs and airport taxis are likely to ply; there may be fewer autorickshaws on the roads. Namma Metro, trains and flights will operate as usual.
Banking services will be affected as All-India Bank Employees’ Association and Bank Employees’ Federation of India have backed the agitation. Medium and small industries in industrial hubs like Peenya have announced a holiday. The tech sector will remain operational, though the Association for Rights of IT Sector Employees, affiliated to the AITUC, has backed the strike.
Malls are likely to remain open. Screening of movies will not be affected as the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has extended only moral support to the strike.
Buses not to ply for 48 hrs, Metro will run normally
HV Anantha Subbarao, general secretary of the workers’ federation, said buses of KSRTC, BMTC, NEKRTC and NWKRTC will not ply for 48 hours from 6am Tuesday. BMTC managing director NV Prasad said they will take a call on the services on Tuesday.
The absence of services of BMTC — which ferries 45 lakh a day — could cripple commuters. KSRTC officials said they will refund fares to the passengers if services are cancelled. Private bus associations will operate their fleet, including inter-city services, as usual. Truck owners aren’t participating in the strike.
Bangalore Tourist and Taxi Operators’ Association president Radhakrishna Holla and Tanveer Pasha, president of JD(S) transport wing, said they support the strike, but will operate services. Autorickshaw unions are divided on the strike. CITU-backed Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union, with a huge following, will participate in the strike, but others are not.
BMRCL managing director Ajay Seth said Metro services will run normally though Bengaluru Metro Rail Employees’ Union has supported the strike.
ON STRIKE