Banks shut, transactions worth crores hit

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Jalandhar, December 26

Transactions estimated at worth Rs 400 crores remained affected here as members of the United Forum of Banks organised a nationwide protest today.

Bankers across the city held protests outside their own branches and then gathered outside the main branch of the State Bank of India near Namdev Chowk in large numbers. As many as 350 bank branches in Jalandhar city and 800 across the district remained closed. Since banks were closed, people were depending on ATMs, which too fell short of cash at many places.

The banks were on strike on Friday and Saturday too. Monday was open but Tuesday again was a holiday owing to Christmas. Owing to strike, all banking work remained hit even today.

Convener of the United Forum of Banks Amrit Lal said: “About 10 lakh employees of banks, which are part of nine unions that include officers and staff, are protesting in the ongoing strike. The proposed merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with the Bank of Baroda will result in loss of jobs and closure of branches. Such an anti-employee decision must be stalled.”