Ten lakh employees, officers join bank strike

Bangalore, Sep 24 (UNI) Banking activities in Karnataka today came to a standstill with employees taking part in the two- day nation-wide strike to protest the Centre's move to privatise and merger of public sector banks.

More than ten lakh employees and officers in banking industries began the strike protesting against the Centre's 'delay and deny policy' on legitimate demands of bank employees.

Most of the banks in the state remained closed due to the strike.

A press release by the All India Bank officers' Conferdaration claimed that the strike was a ''big success'' and it will continue tomorrow also.

It said the Centre has failed to implement the understanding reached with United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which is spearheading the strike.

None of the issues being projected had been solved, it said.

A mammoth gathering of bank employees staged a demonstration before the head office of State Bank of India. All branches of public sector and private sector banks were closed, it said.

UNI SIV VV SY DS1507