Ponda: The Nationwide Bharat Bhand strike called by the All India Trade Unions against anti labour policy, inflation, GST etc received good response from Industrial workers who protested and demanded the withdrawal of anti-labour policies of government. There was hundred percent response from Private Passenger bus operators who remained off the road. The rickshaws and tourist taxis too remained off the road. Many shop owners too supported the bandh by keeping their shops closed. Over all there was good response to the strike call from the public who preferred to stay home and the KTC bus stand and Old bus stand at Ponda wore a deserted look because of it, However the KTC buses provided services. The people were not inconvenienced as many of them preferred to use private vehicles to reach to their destinations. Government Offices were opened but there was poor response from public. However, schools and colleges too remained opened. Except some industries the small scale units at Industrial estates at Bethora, Kundaim and Marcaim remained closed and workers from it took out protest rallies in Industries estates. Some Banks were seen open and operating their business with very few customers while some Banks remained closed.
Trade Union leader Raju Naik addressing to media said the two-day Nationwide bandh call received overwhelming response. He said today it was 90 percent band successful with public, shop owners, vendors in market and workers from various Industries supporting to it. The ferryboat workers also supported the bandh. He said public supported the band as it is affected due to rising inflation, anti labour policies. The demonetization and GST led to unemployment and closure of several small-scale business. He thanked public, shopkeepers, private bus operators for overwhelming response.
