Banking operations paralysed across country for a day

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) Banking operations came to a standstill across the country today due to a day-long strike by the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) and the Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI), in protest against the Government's move to outsource services and clearing operations.

The State Bank of India, its associate banks, the Bank of Baroda and Indian Overseas Bank employees, however, did not participate in the strike.

The striking unions are opposing a RBI circular on outsourcing bank jobs, privatisation of clearing departments and merger of banks, besides demanding recruitment in banks in place of outsourcing, filling of nearly 1 lakh vacancies through proper recruitment policy in public sector banks and expeditious extension of another pension option for retired Bank employees.

AIBEA General Secretary Ch Venkatachalam said five lakh employees and officers of nationalised banks, private banks and foreign banks participated in the strike, adding that the entire banking transactions came to a standstill, with Rs 40,000 crore cheques being locked up throughout the country.

He said the State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda and Overseas banks, though not participating in the strike, extended their moral support.

Protest demonstrations, rallies and sit-ins were organised in all states as part of the strike.

The strike was observed in the national capital, Mumbai, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Guwahati, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Meghalaya and Karnataka, among others.

In Panaji, about 300...EDS here pick up from DI 20 (AGITATION-BANK STRIKE-NATIONAL TWO NEW DELHI) UNI TEAM RA AT RS1815