Bengaluru: Uncertainty over bandh on Monday

Bengaluru: There is uncertainty about the proposed nationwide protests on Monday against demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes and nobody is sure whether the city will be affected.

Even though combined opposition parties have decided to observe ‘Akrosh Diwas’ on Monday across the country, Bengaluru may remain bandh-free.

Officials from BMRCL, BMTC and KSRTC told this newspaper that they too are not sure about the bandh. “We will operate our buses as usual. But if there are any untoward incidents we will cancel services,” informed officials from KSRTC and BMTC.

Sources said though the state government expected to cancel BMTC, KSRTC and Metro services to ensure that the city comes to a standstill, other services are expected to continue as usual.

Sources say private companies and service providers, who are not affected by demonetisation, are expected to function as usual.

An officer from the intelligence department told this newspaper that as per the mood on social media, the bandh is expected to receive a lukewarm response in the city, as the majority its residents, especially the salaried class, are not in support of this move.

In case of a bandh, supply of  milk,water and , vegetables and newspapers,  will not be affected.  Hospitals and pharmacies will remain open. Services of KSRTC, BMTC and Metro will be disrupted. Bars and restaurants, fuel stations, cinemas, malls, business establishments, IT companies, schools and colleges, and other educational institutions will ramained closed. Many schools have already notified parents about the possibility of a bandh on Monday. They have informed parents that they will update them through SMS and email.

No money for protests!
According to officials, after currency demonetisation many organisations are facing cash crunch and the number of demonstrations and strikes have come down in the city.