Banks unaffected by nationwide bandh

Banking operations in most parts of the country today remained largely unaffected by the nationwide bandh called by the opposition against the hike in fuel prices.

Banking operations in most parts of the country on Monday remained largely unaffected by the nationwide bandh called by the opposition against the hike in fuel prices.

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"Bank branches across the country are open," United Forum of Bank Unions' Convener CH Venkatachalam said.

However, there could be some disturbances in states like West Bengal and Kerala, he added. There are about 60,000 branches of various banks across the country.

According to a senior official of the Bank of Baroda, its banks branches are by and large functioning normally.

The opposition NDA and the Left parties have separately called for a Bharat Bandh today to protest the recent hike in fuel prices.

Following the hike last month, petrol, diesel and kerosene rates have gone up by Rs 3.50, Rs 2 and Rs 3 a litre, respectively.

Prices of cooking gas has risen by Rs 35 a cylinder.

Most of the opposition parties, barring the RJD, BSP, LJP and RLD, are participating in the bandh.

The participating parties are BJP, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, JD-U, CPI-M, CPI, Forward Block, RSP, AIADMK, MDMK TDP, BJD, JD(S), AGP, INLD and the Akali Dal.