KOLKATA, INDIA: Just when the industrial resurgence was taking over the zeal in West Bengal, political decisions seem to be halting the progress.
The Communist Party of India (CPI Marxist) called a 12-hour bandh in West Bengal to protest the rise in petroleum prices on Thursday, June 5.
The decision was taken suddenly by the Politburo and came as a shock across the business community in Bengal, predominantly in the IT sector.
To add fuel to the fire, the Opposition in Bengal, led by Trinamool Congress (TMC), also called for a 12-hour bandh on the same issue. "The Left is supporting the Central Government.
They are calling for a bandh despite knowing about the price hike beforehand! But our bandh is a true bandh," commented Mamata Banerjee, Leader of Opposition and TMC supremo.
These two consecutive bandhs had a dire effect on the IT industry, particularly on the IT retail business. With nearly all IT outlets and showrooms remaining closed in the weekend throughout the city, IT retailing across West Bengal was brought to a standstill.
"The bandhs resulted in a complete halt of all businesses. The operational and logistical loss has been immense. Due to the futile weekend, most of the process has been delayed and I don't know how I am I going to make up for the losses," commented Manoj Rathi, Director, Diamond Infotech.