Strike hits banking transactions in Chennai

Banking transactions were affected in Chennai today as bank employees went on strike in protest against the proposed merger of State Bank of Indore with its parent SBI.

Striking bank employees took out a protest rally before Indian Bank Esplanade branch this morning and shouted slogans against the proposed merger, a release from Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Federation, affiliated to All India Bank Employees
Association (AIBEA) said.

AIBEA general secretary CH Venkatachalam said employees under the banner of AIBEA and All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) are on strike.

State-run banks and private sector banks were also participating in the strike, it said.

Several ATMs in the city ran out of cash, which put the public to hardship.