The nationwide strike against government's "anti-labour" policies and price rise did not create much ripples in Delhi today but it ended up burning a hole in the pocket of commuters who were fleeced by auto drivers who hit the streets late in the afternoon.
Functioning of PSU banks was affected and a number of autos and taxi drivers kept their vehicles off the roads as the 24-hour strike called by all major unions to protest government's "anti-labour" policies, price rise and disinvestment of PSUs.
Though DTC officials claimed they have operated extra buses to help passengers, commuters complained that frequency of the state-run buses was low. They complained that most of the buses which were plying were overcrowded.
Many bank customers were left at sea as employees of PSU banks refused to conduct transactions as part of the protest. Employees of RBI in the capital held a protest outside their office and shouted slogans against the policies of the government.
Most of the PSU bank branches in major cities were open, but the attendance remained thin as majority of clerical staff abstained from work.
Auto and taxi union leaders said they were participating in the strike to protest against the government policies towards them. They alleged the government was doing nothing for setting up a welfare board as ordered by the Supreme Court.
"The strike may be for a noble cause but common man had to suffer. The auto drivers overcharged us. From Barakhamba to Parliament Street which is just two kilometres, an auto driver charged me Rs 60 instead of Rs 19 on metre," said Anumita Singh, a private bank employee.
