All-India strike cripples banking services in Bihar

Patna, Sep 25 (UNI) Banking services in Bihar continued to remain crippled for the second day today in response to a two-day all-India strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a conglomerate of nine major bank unions, since yesterday.

Congratulating the striking employees for their ''rock-solid unity'' ensuring ''total success'' of the 48-hour strike, Bank Employees Federation, Bihar, General Secretary B Prasad claimed that more than one million employees of all public sector, private, foreign and regional rural banks in the country, including those in Bihar, participated in the strike.

The strike has been called to protest the Centre's plan for complete privatisation of the banking sector, its merger proposals and other alleged anti-employee measures.

Quoting reports from different parts of Bihar, Mr Prasad said dharnas and rallies had been organised in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Munger, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Motihari and several other places by the bank employees.

Clearing house operations in different parts of the state also remained paralysed for the second day resulting in the suspension of clearing of cheques worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, Mr Prasad claimed. ATM services of several banks were also affected.

Criticising the Centre, Mr Prasad said the government must immediately reverse its anti-employees stand.

This is the second countrywide bank strike this year to press for the employees' demand, causing severe inconveniences to millions of customers across the nation.

UNI ABA DPM SV KN1517