KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the West Bengal government is planning to introduce a new law under which those who ransack and damage property during bandhs will be made to pay compensation and asked people to report for work during the strike by trade unions tomorrow.
"We will make a law on this. I had a discussion on this with the chief secretary," she said here. However, the government will pay compensation if anyone's vehicle or shop is damaged during tomorrow's strike, Banerjee said.
The central trade unions have given call for a countrywide general strike tomorrow to protest the "anti-people, anti-national and anti-worker" policies of the NDA government at the Centre.
"There is no bandh in Bengal tomorrow. I appeal to the common people that Durga Puja is coming and on September 5 we have Teachers Day. So let's keep things moving. Let's take Bengal forward. A lot of damage has already been done," she said.
Banerjee said Trinamool Congress has not called any bandh in the last few years realising the futility of it. "Unlike puja bonus there should be no bandh bonus ... No solution comes from bandh. You only get publicity," the Chief Minister said.
A government delegation led by Banerjee will leave tomorrow on a visit to Germany and Rome.
"In Italy there is lot of business potential, specially in jewellery and manufacturing sector. In Munich there is a big programme. I am going because of manufacturing sector. We are getting a lot of other invitations," she added.