BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has asked the Collectors and SPs to take necessary measures to ensure that emergency services are not affected during the Bharat Bandh which would be observed on Monday.
It also declared Monday as a holiday for all educational institutions - private and Government - apprehending inconvenience for students. It also said protestors may stop vehicular and rail traffic as well as close down business establishments and picket before all Government offices, banks and educational institutions.
The Home Department has issued an advisory to the districts asking them to take preventive measures to maintain law and order. Government employees have also been asked to reach office on time.
Director General of Police KB Singh said the SPs have been asked to keep a close watch on the situation and ensure that essential services are not hit.
With the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supporting the demonetisation decision of the NDA Government, the bandh call in Odisha would be closely watched as it may actually showcase people’s sentiment about the ban on the old `500 and `1000 tenders.
The Bharat Bandh call appeared to be in a fix with Congress deciding to stage demonstrations on the day. Left parties and TMC will go in for dharnas and rallies. However, no party is likely to go in for shutdown of normal life.
Private bus operators said service has not been suspended on Monday while Odisha State Road Transport Corporation will continue with its services as usual. Trains would also operate normally unless blocked by protestors which is anticipated during the morning hours.
Utkal University has also cancelled all examinations scheduled for Monday. It would reschedule the tests later.
While Congress made it clear that it was not part of the Bharat Bandh brigade, the national party will hold ‘Jana Akrosh’ rallies in all 314 blocks as part of its nation-wide protests. OPCC president Prasad Harichandan said in Bhubaneswar, a rally would be taken out from Congress Bhawan to the local Reserve Bank of India (RBI) building where party workers would stage a dharna.
Five Left parties have also decided to stage demonstrations and resort to civil disobedience across the State. CPI State secretary Dibakar Naik said activists and leaders of CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, SUCI and Forward Bloc would stage demonstrations in front of the RBI here and SBI branches at all district headquarters. The activists of Left parties would also court arrest, he added.