24-hour nationwide general strike called by the major trade unions has begun. The strike has been called by the INTUC, CITU and other seven Central Trade Unions in protest against price hike of essential commodities and alleged anti-working class policies of the UPA Government. AIR Kolkata correspondent reports that most of the shops and establishments are closed in the city. Public transport is off the roads. However, train services in Howrah and Sealdah Division of the Eastern and South-Eastern Railways have remained normal so far. Flight operation from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata are also as usual though some private Airliner have cancelled their flights due to call of strike.The 24-hour nationwide general strike called by the major trade unions began this morning. The strike has been called by the INTUC, CITU and other seven Central Trade Unions in protest against price hike of essential commodities and alleged anti-working class policies of the UPA Government. AITUC general secretary and CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta told AIR that nearly six crore workers are participating in the strike across the country.