In Kerala, as normal life continued to be hit for the second day today following the indefinite strike by private bus operators, the state High Court rapped the government for not taking appropriate action. A Division bench, comprising Chief Justice SR Bannurmath and Justice Thothathil B Radhakrishnan said no government can keep mum and if the government was not taking any steps, the court would step in to keep the house in order.<br/> The court was hearing a petition by Forum for Awareness of Socio-Cultural Transformation (FAST). The petitioner had sought to cancel the permit of the private bus operators and to invoke ESMA (Essential Service Maintenance Act) against the operators. The bench directed the government to inform the court about steps taken by them to face the ongoing bus strike. Justice P N Ravindran had on Tuesday refused to hear petitions by private bus owners for renewal of permits and settlement of timings until they call off the strike. The operators are demanding a fare hike. <br/>