New Delhi:  Two days Bharat Bandh called by various trade unions including Banking staff has affected the normal life of the people in several states.

Banking services have been partially affected, employees did not report for duty. Transactions in public sector banks were hit, normal transactions have not been taken place in many banks. There was barely any impact on the functioning of most private sector banks.

Services of public sector banks in eastern India as many branches of public sector banks are severely affected said C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary of  All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA).

Bank unions are protesting against the government's move to privatise two public sector banks as announced in this year's Union Budget. They are also demanding an increase in the interest rate on deposits and a reduction in service charges..

Roads in Left-ruled Kerala, where trade unions hold considerable sway, wore a deserted look, and only a few private vehicles could be seen. Buses run by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) were off the roads.

However, emergency services have been excluded from the strike. The Kerala High Court has also restrained five unions at the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) from participating. The police in the state have made arrangements for those who need emergency travel facilities to reach railway stations and hospitals, the NDTV report said.

In West Bengal, even though the trade unions could be seen protesting on the streets, the state government has asked all offices to remain open and ordered employees to report for duty. Members from the Left Front gathered in huge numbers and blocked railway tracks at the Jadavpur Railway Station in Kolkata.