AGARTALA, Oct 22 (TIWN): Hitting the ruling Govt on its decision of merger of various banks and increasing distresses on the common men by putting additional charges, the bank strike’s agitators in Tripura said their protest this time is not for their wage hikes but the common men who are suffering due to massive charges are imposed on them. Addressing media, the leaders of the agitation said, “Till now the report we have received it says, the strike is successful 100% allover India. Atleast 11 trade unions have forwarded strong support to succeed the strike. Our demands we have explained many times but what most important today, various charges are being imposed on the common men which are causing massive distress and deprivation to them. We urge the Govt immediately to withdraw such charges. Our struggle is for our own interest but we are agitating with public demands”.

In Tripura too, the bank services have been affected badly due to the strike.

https://youtu.be/QXaFpTzZVhU  Banks Strike hits services in Tripura. TIWN YouTube Video Oct 22, 2019

However Gramin Bank, State Bank and Cooperative Bank is out of the restrictions, said Shiba Prasad Chakraborty, central committee member of Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI).

https://youtu.be/d4CQRiYAFzI  Banks Strike at Agartala. TIWN YouTube Video Oct 22, 2019

Services in state-owned banks may be affected as some of the employees unions have decided to observe nation-wide strike on Tuesday to protest against bank mergers and fall in deposit rates. However, officers and private sector banks are not part of the strike call given by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI).

Most of the banks, including the country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), have already informed customers about the strike and its impact on them.

"The membership of our bank employees in unions participating in strike is very few, so the impact of strike on Bank's operation will be minimal," SBI said in a filing to stock exchanges last week.

Another public sector lender Syndicate Bank said: "The bank is taking necessary steps for smooth functioning of branches on the proposed strike day. However, in the event the strike materialises, the functioning of the branches/offices may be impacted."

In the absence of any positive outcome in the meeting called by chief labour commissioner, it has been decided to go ahead with the strike, AIBEA general secretary C H Vekatachalam said.