PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 29: Banking, postal and insurance services were affected on the second day of the nationwide strike called by the joint forum of central trade unions to protest against various policies of the Union government.
The two-day strike was also supported by the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).
However, there was hardly any impact on the services of private sectors banks. State Bank of India also stayed away from the strike.
Jharkhand chapter of the Bank of India Employees Union (BoIEU) claimed that more than 2,000 branches of various public sector banks remained shut across the state.
Banks, post offices and employees of Life Insurance Corporation of India staged dharna and demonstrations at Bistupur and Sakchi .
Trade union workers under the banner of CITU and AITUC also took out protest marches.
A senior functionary of the AIBEA said that they were protesting against various issues including privatisation of banks, sale of public sector units and outsourcing in the banking system.
“We are also demanding re-constitution of the old pension scheme,” he added.
Bank customers had a harrowing time as ATM kiosks went dry at a few places.
People also complained that they were not able to depot their annual premium with LIC because of the two- day strike.
The services are expected to become normal from tomorrow.
