Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: The work remained paralysed in all the nationalized banks throughout the State for second consecutive day today as the bank employees and officers observed a total strike in response to a call given by United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU).
Like other parts of the country all the commercial banks baring J&K Bank and Citizen Cooperative Bank remained closed across the State for the second consecutive day today as employees stayed away from work in response to two-days nationwide strike in protest against proposed amendments to banking regulations and outsourcing of jobs.
However the Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) of these banks were working normally. The Bank employees and officers held separate meetings to deliberate over the two days strike and their future course of action. Punjab National Bank Officers Association (PNBOA) held an Executive meeting at Nagbani Branch where the members were asked to remain united and create awareness among the Bank staff of all the nationalized banks to give a befitting reply to Indian Banks Association (IBA) and Government.
The meeting was addressed by all leaders if the Association and it was presided over by Com. Vinod Kumar senior Manager PNB Canal Road, Jammu. Others who addressed it included Com Ashok Kumar Khazanchi, Com Ashok Sahni, secretary PNB Staff Union J&K, Com Ashwani Pradhan and Com R L Dogra.
Addressing the meeting Com V K Dutta general secretary of the Association informed the House that the Central Committee meeting of All India PNB Officers Federation (AIBOA) will be held at Chandigarh on September 2, where delegates from across the country will take part to discuss future course of action and other wage revision related issues.
He also urged the members to be ready for the long and consistent meetings. He termed the two day strike a total success.
Meanwhile the Nationalized Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) said that all the commercial banks remained closed throughout the State for second consecutive day on the call of UFBU comprising of over 10 lakh employees and officers against the unilateral implementation of Khandelwal Committee recommendations and introduction of Banking Amendment Act in the Parliament besides other issues.
An Executive Committee meeting of the NCBE, J&K State was held at its Headquarters at Rail Head Complex here to deliberate over the two days strike by the affiliate Banks. The meeting expressed full satisfaction over the success of the strike.
S L Hans general secretary NCBE J&K congratulated the members for their total cooperation to make the two days strike a total success. He held the Central Government and IBA responsible for the inconvenience caused to the general public due to bank strike which was thrust upon the employees and officers for its adamant attitude. He urged the Finance Ministry to desist against such unilateral moves in future.
Mr Hans also urged the members to be extra cautious and remain prepared for the next call of UFBU.
Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation affiliated to AIBEA in a statement issued here today claimed that total strike was observed by all commercial banks yesterday and today.
Arun Kumar Gupta general secretary of the Federation said the indifference of IBA and the Government to the issues, demands and concerns have compelled the bank employees to resort to agitation and give a strike call.
He expressed his regrets for the inconvenience caused to general public due to strike.
He announced that UBFU will be announcing shortly to decide the future course of action and intensified programmes including more continuous strikes.
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