Banking comes to halt in Bihar, nationwide UFBU strike

Patna, Jan 25 (UNI) Banking services in Bihar came to a grinding halt today in response to a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBUs) pressing for its six-point charter of demands.

UFBU state general secretary J N Singh claimed that the one-day strike in all public and private sector banks was ''total and sucessful'' as all the 40,000 bank employees stayed away from their work.

The UFBU demanded immediate reversal of the union finance ministry's decision to merge various public sector banks, including the SBI, with its subsidiaries.

''We are also demanding the filling up of all vacant posts in various banks without further delay, re-introduction of appointments on compassionate ground and early settlement of the wage revision,'' Mr Singh informed and congratulated the employees for their 'overwhelming support'.

Meanwhile, the union's decision to call the nationwide strike has generated largescale resentment among the general public here because it would lead to a total three days bank closure in the wake of tomorrow's national holiday and on Sunday the next day, causing severe inconvenience to all.

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