Mixed Response To Bharat Bandh Call In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The nationwide Gramin Bharat Bandh called by farmers and trade unions evoked mixed responses in Odisha with peaceful dharna at some places in the capital on Friday.

Bus services were also disrupted at some places.

According to sources, protesters were seen shouting slogans in front of central government offices, including Reserve Bank of India, NALCO office, Indian Oil office, and Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, from 9 am onwards.

Speaking to the media, a protestor sitting on dharna outside the NALCO office, said, “We are demanding permanent position for contractual employees, minimum daily wage of Rs 700, recognition of all scheme workers across the country as government employees with a minimum salary of Rs 26,000 per month, and recruitment to the 26 lakh central government posts lying vacant.”

The protesters are also demanding that the minimum support price for farmers, who toil hard to provide food to others, should be 1.5 times the expenses incurred in production, and the minimum price of rice should be fixed at Rs 3,000 per quintal and wheat at Rs 3,000.

Though the morning hours were peaceful in Rourkela, bus went off the roads later in the day. Mo Bus service was also hit and passengers were seen stranded at Rourkela bus stop. “I was not aware that there will be no bus service today. Now, I will have to wait,” said a passenger.

Trade union leaders, however, claimed that the bandh has been successful. A trade union leader in Rourkela said public transportation services, including Mo Bus, have been affected, while government offices, factories, and mining operations are shut in Sundargarh district, including Rajgangpur, Barsuan, and Bimlagarh.

Urging people across the country to come out in support of the farmers and labourers, the protestors said the dharna would continue till 6 pm.

Trade unions and farmers groups ,including Samyukta Kisan Morcha, also resorted to chakka jam across the country from 12 to 4 pm.

The Odisha state committee of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is supporting the protestors in the bandh.