Indian bank staff strike work but people able to draw money

Indian bank staff strike work but people able to draw money

New Delhi, Dec 16: Banking operations across the country were affected on Wednesday, as an estimated 450,000 workers of state-run and private banks proceeded on a daylong strike, although people were able to withdraw money from automated teller machines.

The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) and the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) called the strike to protest moves to consolidate the operations of state-run banks. Their talks with the government had failed on Tuesday.

Talk of Balochistan too much: Pakistani envoy

Talk of Balochistan too much: Pakistani envoy

New Delhi, Dec 16: “It is too much”, remarked Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik after an Indian speaker blasted Islamabad over the crisis in Balochistan.

And much to the diplomat’s discomfort, another speaker, this time from Pakistan, compared Islamabad with Kabul in terms of security concerns and terror threats. An exasperated Malik was prompted to say: “It is too much.”

The event was the launch of an autography of the late Baloch leader Mir Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo. A panel discussion followed the book release, organised by Policy and Planning Group (PPG).

Sensex down 67 pts in early trade on global cues

STAFF WRITER 10:21 HRS IST

Mumbai, Dec 16 (PTI) Extending its slide for the third day in a row, the BSE benchmark Sensex lost another 67 points in early trade today, with shares of banking, oil and gas and metal sectors remaining under pressure, on continued foreign capital outflows amid weak global cues.

The 30-share Sensex, which had lost over 240 points in the past two sessions, declined by 67.05 points, or 0.39 per cent to 16,810.11 in early trade.

The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also drifted by 21.85 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 5,011.20.

Brokers said overnight losses on the US market and weak opening on the Asian bourses mainly dampened the trading sentiments here, triggering selling by foreign funds.

Among losers, heavy-weight, Reliance Industries was down 0.18 per cent at Rs 1,049.50 on increased selling by speculators and funds.

Rupee steady at 46.69/70 vs dollar in morning trade

STAFF WRITER 10:42 HRS IST

Mumbai, Dec 16 (PTI) Indian rupee was almost steady against the US currency in late morning trade today on stray dollar sales by exporters as the American unit held at its recent highs amid weak local stocks.

The domestic currency resumed lower at 46.75/77 a dollar against its last close but later recovered and was quoted at 46.69/70 a dollar in late morning deals.

Dealers at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (forex) market said exporters were seen selling dollar in early trade as the dollar held at its 2-1/2-month high against a basket of major currencies in overseas markets.

Local stocks remained weak, extending their losses to fourth straight day today.

Indian benchmark Sensex was down 77 points at 1030 hours while Asian indices were mixed this morning.