Mitra appeals to West Bengal`s traders to ignore strike call

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra appealed to traders in state not to participate in the country-wide strike called by various trade unions on February 20 and 21 by keeping their shops open.

Kolkata: West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Sunday appealed to traders in the state not to participate in the country-wide strike called by various trade unions on February 20 and 21 by keeping their shops open. "Today I had come here to appeal to traders on behalf of our chief minister Mamata Banerjee to foil the strike call in the state. Because even a day`s strike call means huge loss," Mitra told reporters after addressing a convention at the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations.

The central trade unions led by CITU, INTUC, BMS and other unions have called for a country-wide strike on Feb 20 and 21 to oppose the economic policies of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had fiercely opposed the strike call, saying such protests lead to huge financial loss for debt-ridden Bengal. "I have requested the traders to keep their shops and outlets open. If they keep their shop open then people will automatically come out and which in turn will foil the strike," said Mitra. PTI