Bundh may be total with govt backing

Schools, colleges may remain closed; health services to function normally

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri confirmed that the department had not instructed any institution to remain closed. However, “depending on the situation, the deputy director of public instruction of a particular region can take a decision.”

Also, the institutions could use one of the four discretionary holidays they are allowed to take in a year and declare Monday a holiday, Department of Public Instruction Commissioner K R Shashidhar, said. Based on this, some private institutions have already called it a day off.

Health services

Though its instructions to the educational sector are vague, the State Government has directed health services to function normally. Hospitals and medical stores will remain open, ambulance services will  function as usual and doctors and paramedics will be on duty, officials said. The police have been asked to ensure their safety. Transport sector might be partially hit, with government services functioning normally, but autos and taxis will remain off the roads. Milk and other essential supplies will not be hit.

The City police have decided to deploy 35 platoons of Karnata State Reserve Police and 500 home guard personnel in addition to other policemen to avoid any untoward incidents during the bundh.

Fire tenders and ambulances will also be deployed to tackle emergencies. As his government skirted taking decisions about declaring a holiday on Monday, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa supported the bundh organised by his party, the BJP.