Bihar’s banking sector braces for an unprecedented four-day halt from January 24 through 27, triggered by holidays colliding with union-led protests. Customers are racing to complete essentials before the lockdown takes effect.
The timeline unfolds as follows: January 24’s fourth Saturday, Sunday the 25th, Republic Day national holiday on 26th, and a massive strike on 27th orchestrated by bank unions. This combo threatens to paralyze financial flows statewide.
Central to the dispute is UFBU’s advocacy for a five-day work culture, backed by demonstrations in major hubs like Patna and beyond. Employee fatigue and policy gaps drive the movement, uniting public and private workforce voices.
Public impact? Significant. Services halt, ATMs risk depletion, and paperwork piles up. Online banking offers a lifeline, yet cash hoarding is prudent. Experts forecast smooth digital continuity but stress pre-strike withdrawals. Banks return January 28—use this window to fortify your finances against the downtime.