Banking operations came to standstill in some 15,000 bank branches in West Bengal due to one-day strike by the bank unions protesting against the government's measures and actions toward banking.
"The strike was total across the state and nationwide. Some 15,000 bank branches remained closed," National Confederation of Bank Employees' Assistant General Secretary Debashish Basu Roy said.
All India Reserve Bank Employees Association General Secretary Samir Ghosh said RBI cheque clearing activity also remained non-functional as participating banks were not present due to strike.
The nine-bank unions under umbrealla of UBFU went on strike protesting against merger of SBI associates, proposed privaisation of IDBI Bank, consolidation and merger plan for the PSU banks, demanding disclosure of defaulters, stringent action for non-performing assets recovery and amendments in various acts impacting trade unions.
Nationally, some 80,000 bank branches were affected due to strike.
