Mixed response to trade unions’ strike in State

The first day of the nation wide strike, call for which was given by 11 trade unions of the country against the Centre’s economic policies, including the failure of the Government to check price rise, evoked mixed response in Assam and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the State.

Most of the educational institutions remained closed, while banks and financial institutions also did not function throughout the day. Attendance in Government offices was very thin as the people had problems in reaching their offices.

Though a majority of shops remained closed in the morning hours, they started opening as the day progressed. The city buses and trekkers stayed off the roads for most part of the day and only a handful of such vehicles appeared on the roads towards the evening. Though the auto rickshaws plied as usual, they could not take the load of the heavy rush.

Bus, trekker owners call off strike

The city bus and trekker owners operating in the city have called off their strike and decided to resume the services tomorrow following a meeting between the commercial vehicle owners’ association and the district administration here today. For the time being, the fares will remain unchanged and a decision to this effect will be taken in a meeting to be held on November 12. Earlier, Transport Minister Chandan Brahma told reporters that considering the hike in prices of fuel and spare parts of vehicles, the Transport Department prepared a proposal for fare hike and the same has already been cleared by the State Cabinet.