The two-day strike has been called up 11 central trade

unions to press for their 10-point charter of demands which include pensions for everyone along with removal of ceiling on bonus and provident fund. The unions are also protesting the price hike, inflation and alleged violation of labour laws. The strike has been called jointly by the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), All India Trade union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other such organisations. The Independent Federation of Workers and Employees have also joined the protests. Referring to the Rs 20,000 crore loss pegged due to the strike, Dasgupta said, "the loss is because of the government and its policy and not the trade unions." "May I ask the Finance Minister what is the loss to the country because of the 2G? Because of the concession of Rs 70,000 crore given to the corporates in the last budget, losses due to non-performing assets, the Kingfisher issue and non-payment of income tax," he said. Dasgupta deplored the violence in Noida and Ambala, and tendered his "apology" for the inconvenience caused to the people because of the strike. He said the trade unions had no option but to call the strike. A joint statement issued by the unions said the strike has been "magnificent" especially in states like Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. "Despite the vindictive threat and attack by the government machinery in West Bengal, response to the strike has been magnificent," it added. The statement said barring the states of Delhi and Maharashtra, transport sector came to a standstill in the rest of the states while strike was complete in the banking sector. While industrial workers shut down production, the statement said, the post offices and the income tax offices were largely affected by the strike.