Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Banking operations hit for second day

CHENNAI: Cheque transactions to the tune of Rs.4,000 crore were affected in Chennai due to the two-day strike by bank employees, according to C.H. Venkatachalam, Convenor of the United Forum of Bank Unions. This was apart from cash dealings in various nationalised and scheduled banks and State Bank branches in the city.

Banking operations came to a standstill in the State for the second day on Thursday due to the strike by 65,000-odd employees.

Cash withdrawal from ATMs of various banks in the State was also affected with many of them displaying the “no cash” sign.

The strike call was given by the forum, an umbrella organisation of bank unions in the country, in support of their demands, including another option to join the pension scheme, wage revision and continuation of appointments on compassionate grounds.

Mr. Venkatachalam, who led a demonstration of bank employees in front of the Union Bank of India here, told The Hindu that on average about 1.75 lakh cheques, including 3,000 high value cheques, involving Rs.2,000 crore were transacted in Chennai city.

The total strike reflected the genuine demands of the employees.

He hoped that the Centre would consider the grievances of the employees and take immediate steps to resolve the issue amicably.

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