Public sector banks in Kashmir join 2-day nationwide strike

Srinagar: The public sector banks in Kashmir valley joined the two-day nationwide strike by bankers in support of their demands.
However, private banks — including J&K bank, ICICI bank and HDFC bank — were functioning normally.
“All public sector banks were closed in Kashmir valley in support of the two-day strike spearheaded by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions,” officials said.
They, however, said that customers had to face difficulties due to non-availability of services in these public sector banks in the valley. The two-day strike has been called to protest against a ‘meagre’ 2 per cent salary hike proposed by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
Meanwhile, some people outside the State Bank of India (SBI) branch, Lal Chowk, alleged that they were caught unaware by the strike. “I have only minimum balance in by SBI account and wanted to despite some money so that there was no problem when money gets auto-debited for Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJY). But as the banks are closed for two days and the money will be debited towards the scheme on Thursday from by account, I fear the bank will fine me for below minimum balance in my account,” Shabir Ahmad, a SBI customer, told UNI.
Similar, concerns were raised by many other customers of different public sector banks. Some even claimed that their PMJJY policy will be lapsed as they don’t have sufficient balance in their account. “I had a medical emergency following which I withdrew all the money in my account on Monday. I only have Rs 152 in my account. Today I came to deposit the money in the bank but, due to the strike I was unable to do so. Now I fear that as there are insufficient funds in my account, the policy will laps,” Rameez Khan said.