Industry rebuffs strike call in West Bengal

Industrial units in West Bengal today remained functional despite the general strike called by the Opposition Left parties and the BJP to protest against the alleged violence perpetrated by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the just-concluded civic polls.
The industrial belts of Asansol-Durgapur region and Haldia port town kept their gates open and workers reported for duty to maintain production at the units.
While the Left parties have called the general strike for 12 hours, the BJP has given a call for 10 hours.
Loading and unloading operations at both the Haldia Dock Complex and Kolkata port were normal during the day, which also coincided with the 24-hour transport strike called by Left trade unions led by CITU and supported by INTUC.

Burdwan district magistrate Soumitra Mohan said industries like IISCO, Durgapur Steel Plant and collieries in Asansol and Durgapur areas were functioning normally.
Loading and unloading operations in the collieries were normal, he said.

Nearly 100 per cent attendance was reported in government offices and vehicular flow was also like any other day, he said.
Operations at the information technology (IT) sector at Salt Lake electronics complex and elsewhere were also not affected.
However, banking operations were partially affected as several bank branches and ATMs remained closed.
In the tea gardens of Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling, there had been no disruption in operations.