Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 9: The 'Bharat Bandh' call given by Congress party in protest against unreasonable hike in petrol and diesel prices on September 10 has received the support of several organizations. In all probability, bus, auto, and taxi services might get disrupted on that day.

Organizations like KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation led by All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions and others have pledged their support to the bandh call. As such, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation buses will be off the roads that day. Ola, Uber, taxi owners and drivers organizations etc have also decided to suspend their services and join hands with the Congress in observing the bandh.

Lorries not to join stir

National president of All India Motor Transport Congress, G R Shanmugappa, however, clarified that his organization does not support the bandh call given by a political party. "All types of transport vehicles will be providing services on September 10. A meeting is being convened on September 21 at New Delhi to bring pressure on the central government to bring down oil prices. The central government is agreeable to bring petrol and diesel prices within the purview of GST regime, but state governments are not giving their nod. Karnataka government has levied additional cess on petrol and diesel. If they reduce it, prices will automatically go down," Shanmugappa observed.

So far, no specific order has been issued for government schools and colleges relating to the bandh call. General secretary of Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka, D Shashikar, said that the heads of local schools and colleges have been asked to take a decision about granting of holiday that day depending on local conditions.

JD(S) state president, H Vishwanath, said that the bandh call should prove to be a resounding success. He called upon people to come out and support the bandh call fully. He stated that JD(S) people's representatives will take part in the bandh at the district headquarters and his party leaders will support the bandh call to the hilt.