Banking, insurance, telecom services affected by strike in MP

Bhopal, Aug 20 (UNI) Services related with banking, insurance and telecommunication sectors remained crippled in Madhya Pradesh following nation-wide strike called by the trade unions today.

''The strike was called to protest Centre's anti-people and anti-labour policies and to support six-point demands,'' said All India Bank employees Association joint secretary V K Sharma.

He said that about 25,000 officers and officials from the state's several banks joined strike halting work in 3,200 branches and affecting the business of about 1,17,000 crore.

''Similarly, services of Insurance and Bharat Sanchar Nigal Limited are also remained affected,'' he said.

Mr Sharma said that about 2,000 people took out a rally to support the strike.

''The main demands include stopping privatisation, unification and merger of banks besides preventing no holds-barred foreign direct investment. If Centre will not accept our demands then agitation will also be staged in future,'' he added.

UNI PKJ-KV 1638