OPERATIONS at all Public Sector Banks was totally impacted for the second day across State on Tuesday, as all the unions were on two-day strike to the nation-wide call given by its parent body United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) on ‘Privatisation of Banks’. However, the functioning of private banks like HDFC, Karur Vysya Bank, Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, Karnataka Bank etc along with foreign bank, Bank of Tokyo and Grindlays Bank was normal except for the non-functioning of cheque clearance system.

 

The successful total shutdown of PSU banks in Raipur and across State was mainly against Union Finance Ministry’s proposed privatisation of banks. Office-bearers and members of nine unions under the umbrella body UFBU staged demonstration here in front of Punjab National Bank, Moti Bagh branch. The strike by around 25,000 bank officers and employees brought a complete halt to financial transactions in about 2000 branches of Public Sector Banks across State. While talking to this scribe, State General Secretary of Chhattisgarh bank Employees’ Association Shirish Nalgundwar informed that a strong workforce of around 25,000 officials and employees of all major nationalised banks in Chhattisgarh joined rest of their bankmen during the two-day nation-wide strike in support of their one-key demand ‘Privatisation of banks’. The two-day strike was a grand success and banking services in PSU banks was virtually paralysed in country and across State.

 

However, banking services in private sector banks were not affected. “Raipur being the State capital, huge transaction takes place daily, but there was no clearing, processing or returning in the banks due to strike which was duly observed by bank workmen and officers,” he added. Meanwhile, lakhs of bank customers were denied of banking services like cash withdrawals to deposits, business transactions, loan process, cheque clearance and business transactions during the strike from branches. The only breather for the first day of the strike was availability of cash withdrawal options from the non-random used ATM in the city. Though limited, the private bank ATMs which were filled as per the schedule brought some solace to the general public. With the introduction of e-banking facilities and installation of latest technology to ensure cashless banking, customers are least affected during non-functioning of bank.

 

Bank customers have the option of availing several services like ATMs, internet banking, cash depositing and pass book printing machines, CSEB bill payment through net banking, Point Of Sale (POS) machine for payments using Debit Card etc while banks are closed for different issues. National General Secretary of Bank Employees Federation of India Debasish Basu Chaudhury said, “We congratulate the entire banking fraternity for successful observance of two-day country wide bank strike at the call of UFBU against proposed privatisation of two public sector banks and retrograde banking sector reforms. Solidarity programme in support of the struggle were organised on strike day by CTUs particularly CITU, Kisan Sabha, insurance employees, RBI employees, BSNL employees and NABARD employees. The unions and associations of GIC employees and LIC employees are going to observe strikes on March 17 and 18 respectively. The UFBU members have extended its support to these strikes and appealed its affiliates to join the strike and organise solidarity programme.