Bharat Bandh: Schools, Colleges & Varsities In Odisha To Remain Closed Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: In view of the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions beginning tomorrow, the Odisha government on Monday announced closure of all schools, colleges and universities on Tuesday.

A notification to this effect was issued by the I&PR department this evening.

“All schools in the state will remain closed tomorrow in view of the bandh. The decision regarding the closure of schools on Wednesday will be taken tomorrow,” said School and Mass Education Secretary Pradipta Mohapatra.

According to the notification, the decision on closure of all colleges and universities on Wednesday will be taken on Tuesday.

Notably, the BJD government and its trade union front Biju Sramika Samukhya (BSS) have extended their support to the two-day nation-wide strike called by CITU, AITUC and others trade unions.

The trade unions have demanded fulfillment of a 12-point charter of demands viz., inflation control, minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000, equal pay for equal work, social security provisions, discontinuation of foreign investments in railways, banks and insurance sectors and jobs for unemployed youths among others.

State secretary of CITU, Souribandhu Kar, said the trade unions have also demanded proper recognition for skilled workers which are genuine.

Chairman of Workers’ Welfare Board, Odisha, Subash Singh said the trade union bodies had supported the protests in the past and will continue to support the agitation this month.