Banks go on two day strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2012:
Like their colleagues in other parts of India, employees of nationalised banks here in the State launched a two-day strike from today to protest the Government of India's move to privatise banking institutions.
speaking to newspersons, United Forum of Bank Union Manipur convenor H Kishorjit informed that the strike is being launched as per a decision of the Union to oppose privatisation of nationalised banks.
The proposal for handing over nationalised banks to private parties was taken by the Government on the recommendation of the Khandelwal Committee, said the convenor adding that the strike is also against the Government's move to amalgamate 19 nationalised banks under five institutions.
Decrying closure of nationalised banks in the rural area on the ground that these branches are deficit units, Kishorjit also ridiculed the Government's plan to concentrate banks in urban areas only.
Naming United Bank of India, Bank of India, State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank as some of the nationalised banks that are operating in Manipur, he maintained that in case talks between the Government and union representatives cannot bring about an amicable solution on the issues, the Union is planning to launch an even more intense agitation in September.
While the two-day strike commenced from 9 am today and with over 10 lakh bank employees and officials ceasing work, it has caused a loss of Rs 100 crore to the national exchequer, he said and expressed resentment on the proposed Parliamentary amendment to Banking Regulation Act.
The convenor also noted that the ongoing strike is creating inconveniences to the customers.
A large number of people who had gone to the banks for financial transactions, such depositing money, withdrawing money, paying tuition fees of their children had to return home.