First day, no show: Customers in Kolkata see red after unions down ATM, bank shutters – Times of India

KOLKATA: A bank strike ahead of Christmas has turned several faces red in anger. On Thursday, the first day of the 48-hour bank strike, most branches, as well as ATMs, were closed, including ATMs of many private-sector banks.
For Souvvik Ghosh, who has a toy shop in Hatibagan, it has become a major obstacle when business is at its peak. “This is unacceptable. It was not known to me that even ATMs will be closed for two days. We need cash to run our business because, for a lot of toys, we have to pay in cash. We have lost two vital days,” he said.

There are 8,500 off bank branches and 11,000 ATMs in the state.
Malini Bose went to an ATM of a private bank on Ganesh Chandra Avenue, but was surprised to find it locked. “I wanted to purchase some home furnishing accessories from Chandni market and needed cash. But when I came to this ATM after getting off the Metro, I found it was shut due to a strike. Most shops do not accept cards here, so I will have to come some other day,” the Beadon Street resident said.
Several traders in central Kolkata, too, faced a cash crunch because ATMs were shut on Thursday. “We need close to Rs 5,000-Rs 10,000 in cash every day to pay the porters, commercial vehicle owners and for other sundry expenses. We forgot to withdraw the money on Wednesday and all ATMs are shut on Thursday and Friday. We will have to pay them on Saturday, when banks and ATMs reopen,” said Rajesh Sinha, owner of an electronic goods store in Chandni.
The president of AIBEA and GS of BPBEA, Rajen Nagar, said that bank branches and ATMs in the state remained non-functional. “There was a massive rally in support of the strike at BBD Bag on Thursday,” he said.
The former deputy chief secretary of SBI Staff Association, Ashok Mukherkjee, said that it opposes privatization of banks and retrograde banking reforms along with the new bill.