Banking services went for a toss in the capital on Thursday because of the nationwide strike against the passage of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011.

Residents who had to prepare drafts or transfer funds could do little but wait for a day. The shutters were down at the branches of different public sector banks, including Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and UCO Bank. The automated teller machines (ATMs), lifeline for customers, also bore the brunt of the strike. “State Bank of India (SBI) was the only institution open, barring a few exceptions,” said an SBI official.

Businessman Sanjay Kumar said: “I deposited Rs 10,000 in UCO Bank on Tuesday but it has not been credited to my bank account. The bank was closed today (Thursday) and I would have to come back tomorrow (Friday) to check with the officials about why the money has not been deposited.”

He was just one of the many residents hit by the strike employees called, seeking the withdrawal of the banking bill. Around 32,000 employees owing allegiance to All India Bank Employees’ Association, Bank Employees’ Federation of India, All India Bank Officers’ Association and National Union of Bank Employees associated with United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in the Patna circle (comprising Bihar and Jharkhand) stayed away from work and took out demonstrations.

P.D. Singh, the state convener of the UFBU, claimed the daylong strike was successful. “We demand the withdrawal of the bill immediately as it would neither be in the interest of employees nor the banks and the country. We are vehemently opposing the Centre’s move as the bill’s provisions intend to promote the privatisation of banks,” he said.

Although private banks were not part of the strike, the institutions also came under the radar of the agitators as authorities kept their branches and ATMs closed in apprehension of disturbances.