Bank unions plan strike on Dec. 21

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 14. Bank Unions today formally gave a call for a one- day nation-wide strike on December 21 to protest the introduction of the Banking Companies (Amendment) Bill in Parliament. The Bill seeks to bring down Government's stake in public sector banks upto 33 per cent.

After the introduction of the Bill on Wednesday, the unions had indicated that a protest strike would be observed sometime around December 20. A formal decision was taken at a meeting held in Calcutta by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine unions.

According to the Delhi convener of UFBU, Mr. V. K. Gupta, the future course of action would be decided after the strike. It would depend on the progress of the Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha.

The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha after an impromptu discussion lasting for about an hour. The Opposition pressed for division during which the House favoured introduction of the legislative proposal with 209 members voting for the motion while 159 opposing it.

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Section  : National
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