Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday appealed to central trade unions to call off a two- day nationwide strike from Feb. 20.

India's 11 major trade unions are protesting against government' s "inaction" on price rise, disinvestment in public sector and alleged violation of labor laws.

"I appeal to the central trade unions to withdraw their call for countrywide general strike on February 20 and 21. Such a strike would lead to avoidable loss to our economy and inconvenience to the public through disruption of services," the Prime Minster said in a statement.

He said he would hold discussions with his key cabinet ministers which "would result in a course of action that is acceptable both to the trade unions and the government".

India's inflation rate stands at about 10 percent and the government has raised price of diesel and gas several times over the past one year.