Bihar Banks Strike: Empty ATMs, Cash Shortages as One-Day Strike Halts ₹65,000 Crore Transactions

Patna, Bihar: Bihar’s banking system was brought to a standstill as bank employees across the state and the country went on strike demanding a five-day working week. Over 8,000 bank branches in Bihar were closed, disrupting financial transactions worth nearly ₹65,000 crore. The strike left citizens struggling with cash withdrawals, check clearances, and online banking services.

Banks Across Bihar Halt Operations
On the call of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), employees of public, rural, and cooperative banks staged protests demanding their rights. According to the All India Bank Officers’ Association, thousands of branches across the state remained completely non-operational. While private banks continued functioning, the strike by government banks severely affected essential services such as check clearance, RTGS, and NEFT, creating financial inconvenience for businesses and citizens alike.

Check Clearance and Cash Transactions Fully Disrupted
During the strike, government banks halted cash deposits, withdrawals, and draft issuance. Check clearance was particularly affected, blocking many commercial payments. Following a series of holidays, this strike exacerbated cash shortages, leaving many ATMs empty. Citizens were seen wandering from one private bank ATM to another in search of cash.

Demand for Five-Day Banking Week
The strike’s central demand is the implementation of a five-day banking week, giving employees Saturdays off. D.N. Trivedi, Secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Association, said that during a previous wage agreement, the IBA (Indian Banks’ Association) had agreed in writing to provide all Saturdays off, but the central government has yet to issue a notification. Bank employees argue that when the RBI, LIC, and Finance Ministry observe Saturdays off, why are they treated differently?

Protests Across the State
During the strike, bank employees organized rallies and staged demonstrations outside administrative offices across Bihar. Led by the nine-union platform UFBU, approximately eight lakh bank employees nationwide participated in the movement. The employees warned that if their legitimate demands are not addressed promptly, they may adopt even stricter measures in the future.