SBI officers observe strike

Shimla, Aug 18 (UNI) A complete strike was observed in more than 246 branches of State Bank of India and its associate banks in Himachal Pradesh today in response to a call given by All India State Bank Officers' Federation (AISBOF).

The officers of SBI and Associate banks of SBI were protesting against the merger proposal of State Bank of Saurashtra with SBI.

The bank officers participated in a rally organized by the officers Association outside the SBI main branch here. They warned that if issues remained unresolved the federation might resort to indefinite strike next month.

The Deputy General Secretary of State unit of SBI officers' Association, D K Sharma said the federation was of considered view that to face the competition from private and foreign banks, the public sector banks needed to be strengthened with expansion of more branches and network.

He apprehended that merger proposal of associate bank with SBI would automatically be followed by closure and rationalization of branches and manpower, resulting in reduction of branches and retrenchment of staff.

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