Banking operations hit worst by strike

Banking operations remained suspended on the second day of the Bharat bandh strike call at public sector banks across the country as employees remain on strike. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) that comprises nine national bank unions has supported the strike, demanding early wage revision among other issues.

Employees of public sector insurance companies, including the Life Insurance Corporation and New India Assurance, are also participating in the strike.

However, it was business as usual at private sector banks like ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.

However, cheque clearing operations, electronic fund transfers, foreign exchange transactions and money market operations remained disrupted across the country due to the strike.

Normal life remains affected in several parts of the country on the second day of the two-day nationwide strike called by a number of trade unions, mainly over the price rise but with some other issues as well.

Police in Noida are on high alert after widespread violence on the first day of the strike. Educational institutions and several offices remained closed. Elsewhere, trade unions have put up blockades to enforce the strike.