Strike hits banking operations for second day

Raipur, Sep 25 (UNI) The State Bank of India (SBI) and every other nationalised bank's branches in Chhattisgarh remained closed for the second successive day today in response to a strike call by the United Forum of Bank Unions.

Thousands of bank employees gathered in front of the SBI's main branch here and raised slogans against the Centre's United Progressive Alliance regime. The strike affected estimated business of Rs 20-25,000 crore in Chhattisgarh.

''The two-day stir was a total success in this state. About 10,000 officers and other employees of nationalised banks took part.

The chief demands are that merger and privatisation of banks be stopped forthwith, appointments should not be made on compassionate grounds, an understanding on salaries and pensions be implemented immediately,'' SBI Workmen Union General Secretary (Bhopal Circle) Ramendra Hor told UNI.

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