Transport Workers Federation today called a 24-hour statewide transport strike to protest diesel price hike.
"All commercial vehicles - buses, taxis, lorries and auto rickshaws will come under the purview of the strike," CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty said here.
With prices of essentials rising regularly, yesterday's oil price hike due to recalibration was the last nail in the coffin and CITU was forced to call the strike, he said.
"We don't support fare hike but the state should compensate for the loss suffered by the operators," he said.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicates, a body of bus owners in the state, have called a strike on July 31 demanding a hike in fares.
Taxi operators in the city had resorted to a strike yesterday on the same demand.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday ruled out any hike in fares as it would affect the common people and termed the strike as an act of mischief.
CITU members claimed 3,500 buses have so far been withdrawn across the state due to mounting losses and 17,000 workers have been rendered jobless.
