Lucknow: The nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), demanding the implementation of a five-day banking week, led to major financial disruption on Tuesday, with banking transactions worth an estimated Rs 2,500 crore affected in Lucknow alone.Normal banking operations across the city came to a standstill as around 16,000 employees and officers from 905 public sector bank branches stayed away from work. Clearing operations were severely impacted, affecting deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, loan disbursals and other essential banking services, causing inconvenience to customers, traders and businesses.In Lucknow, the UFBU district unit held a protest and public meeting outside Indian Bank in Hazratganj, where union leaders said the losses were a direct consequence of the Centre’s continued refusal to approve a five-day banking week. District convenor Anil Srivastava said bank employees had exhausted all democratic means, including sit-ins, rallies and a sustained social media campaign, but the government remained unmoved.Addressing the gathering, NCBE general secretary DK Singh said the demand was long overdue, pointing out that institutions such as the RBI, LIC, SEBI, NABARD, NPCI, CVC and DFS already function with five working days.
