Shutdown over civic workers' demands evokes lukewarm response

The shut down called by Left parties in support of the demands of striking municipal workers in Telangana evoked a mixed response today.
Congress leaders, who announced support to the bandh, held a sit-in here and raised slogans against the TRS government.
Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other leaders participated in the protest.
Leaders and workers of Left parties and its affiliated unions held protests in Hyderabad and towns like Karimagar and Mahabubnagar in the state.
The municipal workers in Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana have been on strike seeking a hike in wages.

The state government announced a 47.05 per cent hike in wages last night and said it would apply only to those who have joined duties till yesterday heeding the government's appeal.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the government's response, the Left leaders decided to go ahead with the shut down.
Taking exception to the protests, State Commercial Taxes Minister T Srinivas Yadav said that the problems of the workers can be resolved with government's help rather than indulging in a stir.