Sunday, June 26 2005 19:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Normal life is likely to be seriously hit across West Bengal due to a 24 hour State wide transport strike called by Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) led central left trade unions tomorrow (Jun 27, 2005) in protest against hike in fuel prices by the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government.

The strike call has been given to put pressure on the Centre to rollback oil price rise, West Bengal Transport Minister and senior (CPIM) leader Subhas Chakraborty said.

With CITU and other left trade unions firm with their strike call, Chakraborty has already said that the state Government cannot do anything about keeping Government transport normal 'if the workers stay away from work'.

The entire public transport sector is likely to be out of gear in the State tomorrow and it may virtually turn out to take shape of 'bandh', CITU sources said.

Eastern, South-Eastern and the Metro Railways have already said that trains will run as usual tomorrow, but hastened to add that it may cease to operate in case of squatting and obstruction.

State INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress) President Subrata Mukherjee said that his organisation condemned the strike call, but it would not directly oppose it.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) General Secretary Manas Bhuinya opposed the strike call, but defended the Centre's decision to hike fuel price due to rise in international oil prices.