Mamata asks traders to keep shops open on strike days

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today asked traders to keep shops open during the two-day strike by central trade unions this month and assured to pay compensation for damage or loss in case of any untoward incident. Federation of Traders Organisation, Pashimbanga president Rabindra Nath Koley told reporters today after Banerjee convened a meeting of the Task Force on price rise issues. Koley, who is also a member of the Task Force, sought all cooperation from traders during the strike on February 20 and 21, so that normal life was not affected. [caption id=“attachment_615006” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] AFP[/caption] Trade unions CITU, Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Left-backed banking sector unions have jointly called the country-wide general strike to oppose financial sector reforms and allowing FDI in retail. Meanwhile, faced with criticism for calling a general strike on 21 February which coincides with the International Mother Tongue Day, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions said it would request the sponsors of the strike to convert the second day to an industrial strike. Koley said the chief minister had expressed concern at the meeting on the sudden rise in prices of onion, sufficient quantities of which could not be brought here from Nasik for want of adequate number of rakes as reported by the Railways. It would take about two-three months more for getting the new onion crop he said, adding, the chief minister advised ban on its export to Bangladesh until normal price was restored. The chief minister has expressed opposition to strikes on several occasions. PTI