Mamata bans transport strikes,rallies

Speaking to The Indian Express,Mitra said the measures were being taken to increase the revenue of the ailing companies. “Absolute discipline has to be maintained and no strike or union activities,like meetings,rallies,demonstrations,will be allowed during office hours. Flags of all the unions have to removed. I will myself make personal visits to offices and ensure that flags,posters,festoons,etc. are removed and offices and depots remain spick and span,’’ Mitra said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,who has on many occasions expressed her displeasure regarding bandhs and strikes,also said that her government was planning to enact a legislation against those who vandalise public property during bandhs.

She had ordered for a salary cut of those government employees who did not come to office on the general strike called on February 28 this year. CITU,the labour wing of the CPM which had called a strike on August 4,had to withdraw the call after the Chief Minister threatened to cancel the licences of those buses that would participate in the strike.

The CPM has reacted sharply to Mitra’s decision. ”They are taking away all the rights given to us by the Constitution of India. It is time for people to realise whom they have brought to power,’’ Rabin Dev,CPM state secretariat member,told The Indian Express.

Meanwhile,Mitra also said that the state government will introduce smart card in buses and trams very soon. “This will mitigate the sufferings of the common people because of dearth of small change. It will also help reduce corruption,’’ Mitra said today.