Bharat Bandh: Confusion Reigns Over Closure Of Schools, Colleges In Odisha Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD in Odisha has extended support to the Bharat Bandh called by the central trade unions on Wednesday.

Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain confirmed the support on Tuesday. “Our party supports the bandh call in protest against the Centre’s failure in curbing the steep hike in the prices of essential commodities and not taking necessary steps to solve rising unemployment. The Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas slogan of the Centre has now become Sab ka Vinash,” the minister added.

The ruling party’s support to the bandh has triggered speculation that educational institutes and offices in the state may remain closed on Wednesday. Furthermore, a government notification from last year announcing closure of educational institutions is doing the rounds on social media, thereby adding to the confusion over the issue.

However, government officials clarified that they haven’t yet issued any notification regarding the closure of schools and colleges in Odisha during the one-day bandh.

A spokesperson in the Chief Minister’s Office said the government has not taken in any decision in this regard.

On the other hand, some schools in the Odisha capital have declared holiday on Wednesday in view of the bandh.