Banking sector paralysed in Bengal

Kolkata, Sep 24: Banking operations, including ATM service,were paralysed in West Bengal today in response to a two-day country-wide strike called by the banking unions.

The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella organisation of nine unions, claimed that they had no option but to go for the strike after a conciliatory meeting, convened by the chief labour commissioner in New Delhi yesterday, failed to break the ice.

UFBU's Bengal unit convener Malay Roy said the talks failed due to a 'negative' approach by the Indian Bank Association.

The strike has been called to protest the proposed privatisation of PSU banks, government's plan to merge banks, reject Raghuram Rajan and Anwarul Hoda committee recommendation and stoppage of unrestricted entry of FDI in banks. They also demanded implementation of MoU between IBA and UFBU on issue of one more option for pension to PF and others and announcement of pension benefits for employees.

The union workers sat on dharnas before the gates of banks ensuring that no employee could get in.

Besides, union leaders ensured that no customer could get in the ATM counters.

However, in many areas ATM counters were opened but sans money.

UNI