Odisha Schools To Remain Closed During Bharat Bandh On September 10

Bhubaneswar: To ensure the safety of the students, all the private and government schools will remain closed on September 10 during the Bharat Bandh, call given by the Congress in protest against the fuel price hike.

The state’s School and Mass Education Department Principal Secretary, Pradip Kumar Mohapatra has written a letter in this regard to all the district collectors.

Earlier, the state government had directed all district collectors to take preventative measures to maintain law and order and to ensure maintenance of essential services in the districts. The officers and staff of various government offices have been asked to reach office by 9.30 am on Monday positively.

The bandh will be observed between 9 am and 3 pm.

Also Read: BJD Launches 3 Day Protest Against Rising Fuel Prices

Calling the steep rise in diesel and petrol prices as a Rs 11 lakh crore ‘fuel loot,’ the Congress called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 10, saying it was in touch with other parties for their support.

The party also demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The government had earlier rejected the demand saying most states were opposed to it. It also demanded that there should be immediate reduction in the central excise duty and excessive VAT in the states.