New Delhi: Banking services were hampered on Monday as a number of bank employees refused to report to work in support of central trade unions' two-day nationwide general strike.  However, the functioning of new generation private sector banks was mostly unaffected.

Employees who have not reported for duty have hampered transactions at various public sector banks. Furthermore, there may be a delay in cheque clearances, and the government's treasury operations may be harmed as a result of the strike.

The strike's impact is felt most strongly in eastern India, where many public sector bank branches are closed, according to C H Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA).

Branch offices are operating in the other regions because police are there, but services are being hampered because many personnel are on strike, he said.

Bank unions are protesting the government's announcement in Budget 2021-22 to privatise two public sector banks. They also want an increase in deposit interest rates and a reduction in service fees.

Banks observe a nationwide strike on Monday, Tuesday

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