Trade unions have announced a two-day nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh) on March 28 and 29. Unions claim that roadways, electricity workers will join the strike. A section of bank workers’ unions have also supported the strike. This can affect many services.
In view of the strike, the Ministry of Power has written a letter to all the state governments urging them to ensure power supply. The joint forum of central trade unions and independent trade unions of different regions have called for a strike in protest against the policies of the government.
Their demands include abolishing the labor code, stopping any kind of privatization etc. All India Bank Employees Association said, We are joining this strike to bring attention to the demands of the banking sector.
In view of the two-day strike of trade unions, the Ministry of Power has written to all the state governments urging them to ensure power supply.
Online banking will continue
Several state-run banks, including SBI, have said that their services may be affected to some extent due to the strike. However, to reduce the hassle of the people, banks have made necessary arrangements in their branches and offices. Online banking will also be operational during the strike. With this you will be able to do money transactions online.
With this, the Ministry has directed the CEA, National Load Despatch Center and Regional Load Despatch Center to ensure the reliability and maintenance of the power grid during the strike called by the National Convention of Workers. The National Convention of Workers has announced a strike from 6 am on 28 March to 6 am on 30 March.
In view of this strike of the employees, the Ministry of Power has issued an advisory. The ministry said that the shutdown activities already scheduled during these two days may be rescheduled for some other day.
Along with this, additional persons should be deployed at all important power stations to deal with any emergency. In the advisory issued by the Ministry of Power, it has been said that all power utilities should take necessary measures to ensure round-the-clock normal functioning of the power grid and availability of all plants, transmission lines and sub-stations. The ministry says that a round-the-clock control room should be set up to deal with any contingency.
Officials remain alert and on high alert
It has been said in the advisory to ensure smooth flow of data and voice communication between the identified sub-stations, power stations and their respective RLDCs. Power supply to essential services like hospitals, defense and railways should be ensured. Along with this, the Ministry of Power has also instructed the officials of the regional and state control rooms to be alert and on high alert.
