Mysuru: Banking services in the city was hit today as nearly 200 employees including officers of various banks across the city joined together in the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU).

The employees were protesting against the ‘anti-people’ policies of Central Government that includes writing off Corporate NPAs (Non-Performing Assets), and increase in bank charges.

They are demanding the implementation of Parliamentary Committee recommendations for recovery of NPAs,  stringent measures for recovery of bad loans, withdrawal of proposed FRDI (Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance) Bill, Abolition of Bank Boards Bureau, Adequate recruitment in all cadres and resolution of issues related to employees.

The strike was called by UFBU, an umbrella body of nine organisations that includes All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officials Council, National Council of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers Association and Bank Employees Federation of India.

All banking activities came to a standstill. The applicants for MUDA sites were a disappointed lot, as they could not apply for the sites. Businesspersons and other traders also had to return disappointed as the exchange of cheques and other transactions could not be done. However, so far, the ATMs have not been affected.

UFBU Regional Secretaries S.S. Prasanna and Sriram, Office Bearers Guru Dutt, Madhav Rao and M. N. Guru Dutt led the protest by taking out a procession from the Regional office of SBI in Saraswathipuram shouting slogans urging the fulfilment of their long pending demands. A few of the employees had also gathered in front of the Regional Office of Canara Bank in Nazarbad and staged protest.

They threatened to intensify the agitation in the coming days if their demands are not met.

In all, more than 10 lakh employees across the country participated in the nationwide strike and 1,32,000 branches downed the shutters.