Rs 2000 crore lost in a day

The nation-wide strike calls by the Left parties is estimated to have resulted in a loss of several hundred crores, reports Gaurav Choudhury.

The nation-wide strike called by the Left parties on Thursday is estimated to have resulted in a loss of several hundred crores, particularly in the Left-ruled states of West Bengal and Kerala, where the strike was most effective.

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Industry chamber, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has pegged the losses at Rs 2,000 crore. Assocham’s estimates are based on the feedback that it received from its Promoter Chambers in Cochin and Kolkata.

Most commercial activities in Kerala and West Bengal came to a halt, as almost all offices in private, public and government sectors remained closed and minor business transactions were not carried out.

Regional director (East) of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Sushil Mishra said that all commercial activities in West Bengal came to a standstill. “The loss in business due to the strike is non-recoverable. It should be more than         Rs 500 crore in West Bengal alone.

We do not support strikes and any attempt to disrupt business activity,” he said.

“Apart from causing losses worth hundreds of crores, the strike also sent wrong signals to other countries at the time when the economy is growing fast,” said Assocham president Anil K Agarwal.

Agarwal appealed to the Left Parties and those who supported Thursday’s bandh not to resort to such a strike in future as it brings economic activities to a halt. He urged them to try and sort out their differences with the government across the table.

Email Gaurav Choudhury: gaurav.choudhury@hindustantimes.com