Bharat Bandh on Feb 12 | Public transport, schools and banks — what's open, what's shut today

A joint forum of central trade unions have called for a general strike on February 12, Thursday to protest against the policies of the central government

Emergency services, airports to stay OPEN

While hospitals, emergency services, newspaper supply, airports and ATM facilities remain unaffected, there's a likely change of government-run buses and agro-related industries and outlets supporting the strike and staying unserviceable.

All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told nPTI that the Bharat Bandh on Thursday will see a huge demonstration with not less than 30 crore workers participating in it, extending to nearly 600 districts nationwide.

Bharat Bandh gets support in THESE states

The impact of the proposed strike would reportedly be evident in Odisha and Assam, which are said to observe a complete shut down. Other states might witness rallies, marches and a likely shut down of local stores.

Educational institutions in most areas are not affected by the strike, except in Kerala, where reports mention schools and colleges remaining closed due to the participation of teachers and student organisations in Bharat Bandh.

What's closed and open in Karnataka?

Workers in major industrial areas — Bidadi, Kumbalgodu, Jigani, Bommasandra, Narasapura, Peenya, Vemagal, Dobbspet, Electronics City and Whitefield — are expected to abstain from work in support of the strike.

Employees of government-owned BSNL and LIC have announced participation in the protest. However, other public sector institutions, including transport corporations and banks, are likely to function as usual.

Why Bharat Bandh?

Why have the trade unions called for Bharat Bandh? This comes as a protest protest against the central government’s labour, farm, and economic policies.

A joint platform of 10 trade unions comprising INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC, with support extended by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), have announced solidarity with the strike.