AGARATALA, December 4 (TIWN): All nationalized banks of the state held statewide strike today as a part of the nationwide bank strike under the banner of United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU) demanding revision of salary rates. A total of 405 branches of different banks, except Tripura Cooperative Bank took part in the movement, said UFBU, State Unit leaders.

All the ATMs adjacent to all branches of Tripura Cooperative Bank and hospitals would not come under the jurisdiction of the strike, he added.

UFBU, State Unit leaders said that it is two years since they submitted  charter of demands. While 13 rounds of negotiations have taken place, there is no satisfactory process in the talks because of the negative attitude of the IBA/Government.

The Forum alleged that their prolonged 13-point charter of demands was not fulfilled by IBA/Government which forced them to resort to further violent extent of agitation.

Everyone is aware that employees and officers in the banking sector are doing their best to serve the customers and implement various schemes of the government despite innumerable hardships and difficulties. Yet, the genuine demand for adequate wage revision is being delayed and denied, they mentioned.

They further said that it was decided by the UFBU to withdraw all types of extra co-operation by workmen/officers with immediate effect and to boycott all meetings called for by the bank managements after normal office hours.

Even though we have shown our willingness to adopt a flexible approach in order to finalize the settlement expeditiously, the same is not being reciprocated by the IBA. Thus, once again, we have been pushed to the path of agitation and struggle, they added