The bank officers of the largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula are planning to go a strike in order to protest the opening of new branches without adequate staff and infrastructure.

The officers have threatened to go on a two-day strike on April 8th and 9th. As per the industry sources, officers in the three cities will observe a strike at Sector-17, Chandigarh in respect of the call given by All-India State Bank Officers Federation.

In fact the officers held demonstrations at Sector-17 on Monday, March 30th in lieu of non- fulfillment of their demands. General Secretary of the federation, Vijay Magan opposed the bank's move of opening new branches without adequate staff and therefore called for a strike if the bank does not take any necessary steps.

He further threatened that the bank would go on a strike in May also if the authorities fail to respond on the issue.

Earlier also SBI officials had been going on a strike to protest on the bank's plan on merger of associate banks with the parent bank.