Trade union strike partially affects industry in Jharkhand

The all-India strike by the central trade unions today partially disrupted industrial work and banking services in Jharkhand. "Barring Argada and Jari collieries in Hazaribagh district, other collieries of the Central Coalfields Limited have been functioning normally. There is 90 per cent coal production in the collieries," CCL Manager (Public Relations) Deepak Kumar claimed here. However, CITU�s Jharkhand Chapter General Secretary D D Ramanandan claimed that loading, unloading and production of coal at various collieries under the CCL and the BCCL were affected as labour force joined the strike demanding controlling price, strict implementation of labour laws and other demands. The Vice President of the Insurance Employees Union, P K Mukherjee, claimed " total response" from the employees of LIC offices falling under both the Hazaribagh and Jamshedpur divisions in the state. The strike also affected banking services in the state, an official with a nationalised bank said here. The strike also partially affected the crusher units, copper industry, steel and iron ore sectors, according to reports. Bandh supporters have taken out protest marches across the state with workers blocking roads at strategic points, the reports said. The police said the strike has been peaceful.