Banking operations in the district was completely paralysed on Friday as the employees struck work against the Centre’s move to privatise banks.
The agitating bankers said the move to privatise banks and allow more and more foreign banks to enter the Indian market would seriously affect the loans being given to farmers and students. Consequently, disadvantaged sections of the society would not have access to banking services, especially loans being given now for their uplift.
The protesting bankers also said the Centre should not merge the subsidiary banks with State Bank of India and urged the Union Government to take serious steps for collecting the non-performing assets. They also said due legal action should be taken against the wilful defaulters.
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The striking bank employees staged demonstration in front of State Bank of India’s Palayamkottai Branch to highlight their demands, in which employees of private banks also participated in large numbers. Consequently, banking services in all 264 branches of various banks in the district came to a standstill.
In neighbouring Thoothukudi district, financial transactions in 146 branches of various banks remained completely affected in view of the strike on Friday.
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The nation-wide strike by bank employees affected banking operations in Kanyakumari district on Friday.
A total of 1,900 employees working in over 260 branches struck work, resulting in the stalling of over Rs. 200-crore worth transactions.
The Convenor of United Forum of Bank Unions T. Chidambaram presided over the agitation held in front of the main branch of the State Bank of India in Distillery Road. BEFI District Secretary S. Shahul Hameed, AIBOC District Secretary G. Padmanabhan Thambi, SBT Employees Association Assistant Secretary N. Raghunathan spoke at the demonstration. Joint Convener of UFBU M. Ahmed Hussein gave the valedictory address.