CITU's All India Strike: West Bengal, Kerala and Orissa badly affected

The CPM-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh all over India today in protest against the soaring inflation and increase in prices of fuel and essential commodities. About 40 trade unions across the country are participating in the strike.

According to latest reports, all flight, train and bus services have been affected in West Bengal, Kerala and Orissa. Normal life has come to a complete halt in these states. The impact of CITU's strike is also visible in some other parts of the country. Kolkata is the worst affected.

The strike has been called to press the demand for strengthening the public distribution system and ensure protection of workers in the unorganised sector. The CITU also demands a rise in wages for contract workers in PSUs in addition to other benefits.