the goan I network
PONDA
Banks, other financial institutions and business establishments in Ponda city were forced to be shut down by trade union leaders and their supporters on Wednesday.
At around 11.30 am, agitating workers and trade union leaders under the banner of ‘Ponda Majdoor Ekta’ forced shopkeepers and business establishments along with banks to shut their business establishments and that too, in the reported presence of policemen.
While workers pressurised shopkeepers in the city, they could not reach the outskirts and hence, businesses in those areas remained open during the day. Post lunch, some banks and 90 percent of business establishments reopened in Ponda city.
Industrial estates from Kundaim, Marcaim and Bethora observed the Bandh by shutting their operations on condition that workers would work on Sunday. “We have been given a holiday today (Wednesday) and have been told to work compulsorily on Sunday. The management had apprehension that property may be damaged if the company was open for the day. Hence, they have given us a compulsory holiday,” said a worker from the Kundaim Industrial Estate.
Sources also informed that few units which have in-house dormitory facilities were working inside, while the doors were shut from the outside.
KTC buses provided relief to commuters, as private bus operators supported the bandh and did not ply their buses
in the taluka.
