Lucknow: ATMs run dry as bank strike against merger hits services

LUCKNOW: Operations were hit across the city as employees of various banks went on a day-long strike in protest against the merger of three nationalised banks, on Wednesday.
The nationwide call for a strike was given by United Forum of Bank Unions against the merger of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda.
Citizens faced a lot problems due to the strike and many ATMs of nationalised banks were either not functional or ran dry.
Long queues were spotted outside ATM booths of private banks. Wednesday’s strike was the second strike by bank employees in less than a week.
Though netbanking did solve some customers’ problems but those who did not avail the online services were disappointed. “I do not have a debit card and I urgently need some money. All my work has come to a halt because of the strike,” said Khurshid, an customer of a nationalised bank.
Mohammed Rizwan, whose family lives in Bihar, said that he could not send money back home because of the agitation. “ Aise kaise kaam chalega ( How is it going to work),” he questioned.
“Services like submission of life certificates for pension and the locker facility can’t be availed online. I needed to access my locker immediately,” said Babita, who has an account with a nationalised bank.