Bhubaneswar, Feb. 10: Banking services across the state were paralysed since this morning with staff of public sector banks joined a two-day nation wide strike demanding better pay.

Around 35,000 bankers across the state have joined the strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine bank employees’ unions. All the 4,500 branches of various banks in the state remained shut as employees picketed in front of their respective branches.

Taken together, the branches across the state carry out transactions of more than Rs 30,000 crore on daily basis.

Cheque clearances, cash deposit and withdrawal at banks as well as transactions on automated teller machines (ATMs) was hit on the first day of the strike.

“Around 10 lakh bank employees and officers have been demanding a wage revision. After eight rounds of discussions and an one-day nation wide strike on December 18 last, the Indian Bank Associations (IBA) have offered an unreasonable wage increase,” said state convenor of UBFU Jyoti Bhusan Mohapatra.

The bankers are also opposed to the merger and consolidation of banks.

“In the name of banking sector reforms, the government is encouraging privatisation of banks,” said a protestor.

Those unaware of the strike faced problems when they turned up at the banks or ATMs to carry out financial transactions.

“When I reached the bank for cheque clearance, I got to know that it is closed. Now, I will be unable to pay my labourers,” said Anil Pradhan, an employee of a construction company in Bhubaneswar.

“Though sufficient cash had been stashed at the ATMs on Sunday, once it is finished people will not be able to get cash,” said a bank official.

However, branches of private sector banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI and Axis Bank remained open in the state.