Bharat Bandh: Odisha govt staff asked to reach office by 9.30 AM

Bhubaneswar: The Home Department of the Odisha government today issued an official communiqué to take preventive measures to maintain law and order on Monday on account of nationwide bandh called by Congress protesting the steep rise in fuel prices.

The special section of the department issued the circular to District Collectors and Magistrates in this regard.

“You are requested to take all preventive measures to maintain law and order and ensure maintenance of essential services in the district. You are also requested to ask the officers and staff to attend office by 9.30 AM positively,” the circular read.

It is apprehended that the activists may stop vehicular traffic, rail traffic and close down business establishments and picket before government offices, banks and educational institutions, it added.

Yesterday, the Central leaders of the party had announced that it will organize a nationwide protest on Monday over rising fuel prices.

The Congress party has called for Bharat Bandh in order to highlight the Rs 11 lakh crore fuel loot, to demand that there should be immediate reduction in central excise duty and excessive VAT in the states, and that petrol and diesel be brought within GST so that the common man whose budget has gone haywire are provided the much-needed relief, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala had told media in a presser yesterday.

Bandh will be observed between 9 AM to 2.30-3 PM.