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In protest of the hike in petroleum prices, The CPI (M) has called for a 12-hour bandh in Left ruled states of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura on Thursday.

Although there is nation wide protest against the decision as people are not happy with the significant hike of Rs 5 in petrol prices and Rs 3 in Deisel along with Rs 50 in LPG. The CPI on its part has announced a total shutdown in Kolkata.

West Bengal is highly affected by the bandh especially Kolkata. In Kolkata shops, markets and educational institutions remained closed. City streets were silent amid bandh. Train and air services were also affected. Bandh supporters squatted on railway tracks in different parts of the state, Kanojia said.

Various airlines suspended their operations of outgoing flights from Kolkata during the 12-hour bandh period. Kingfisher Airlines have announced the cancellation of eight flights. They rescheduled eight flights.

However trains and vehicles are running in Kerala as usual in spite of the bandh.

Left parties called the hike “suicidal”. The bandh will be preceded by a state-wide protest and rallies this evening. Mr Bose said that he had discussed with the leaders of the Left Front constituents before arriving at a decision in this regard. Terming the price hike “anti-people”, he said it would further increase prices of essential commodities and push the inflation to 10 per cent as it would have a cascading effect raising the transportation cost.

There will be similar strikes in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu later this week.

The hike in petroleum prices were decided in wake of increasing price of fuel in international market touching the heights of $130 per barrel. Prime Minister appealed to the nation yesterday after the announcement to take the decision calmly as the hike is inevitable.

Fuel price hike gave a jolt to common man who is already fighting with increasing inflation. Whatever be the political and economical reasons behind the hike but common mans problems are definitely increased and their life get tougher.

Tags: Bandh, Kerela, Kolkata, Left Parties, Price hike, Strike, Tripura

The 6-day long strike of residential doctors and medical students was called off today after an assurance by the Maharashtra government to meet their demands, including increasing the number of post graduate seats.

“The state government has agreed to meet all our demands and promised to increase the number of seats for post graduation courses within a month,” Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors spokesperson Ravikant Singh said.

“The state government has also given an assurance on improving the infrastructure of various government hospitals at the earliest,” he said.

Doctors were on strike since April 15, Sunday demanding to restore the PG seats to earlier number 653 for 2007, which is declined to 411 by Medical Council of India (MCI) from this year. Teachers and other medicos had also joined the squad to intensify the protest on Thursday.

On Sunday the doctors called off the strike after meeting Principal Secretary (Medical Education) Amitabh Chandra and Head of Directorate of Medical Education and Research W B Tayde.

Tags: Doctors, Health, Maharashtra, Strike

An indefinite strike by medical students and residential doctors of government medical colleges is going in Maharashtra from Tuesday demanding an increase in seats of Post Graduate courses. Teachers and other medicos have also joined the squad to intensify the protest on Thursday.

They are demanding to restore the PG seats to earlier number 653 for 2007, which is declined to 411 by Medical Council of India (MCI) from this year.

The number of PG seats for 2008 has been fixed at 411 and counseling for it began on April 8.

Medical teachers will show their support in phases — first by wearing black badges, Dr Shailesh Mohite, Secretary of Teachers Welfare Association and Head Forensic department of Nair Hospital said.

Post graduate students or the residents form the backbone of any healthcare system in the government set up and “it is high time that the numbers of seats are retained at least at 653,” Dr Shailesh Mohite said.

Then they will go on mass casual leave after officially informing the Municipal Commissioner, he said.

In 2001, there were 1900 seats but MCI reduced the number up to 411 this year because of inadequate infrastructure for PG courses in the government medical colleges.

Tags: Maharashtra, Medicos, Strike, Teachers

DTC provisional drivers broke their strike on Friday. They are not only assured for increment in their salaries but all possible efforts will be done in their favor.

According to DTC chairman, Ramesh Negi Government had already announced that all the temporary drivers who are on duty for 22 days will be paid an extra bonus of Rs. 1500 including their salary of Rs. 4500. Apart from this, extra money will be paid on per day basis for those coming on duty for more than 22 days.

Tags: Bus Services, Buses, Delhi, DTC, India, New Delhi, Strike