Bank holidays in Odisha & Strike Alert

Bhubaneswar: Banking operations in the state are entering a prolonged standstill as a combination of regional holidays, weekends, and a nationwide strike call could result in a five-day closure. While most of India faces a four-day gap, the impact is more severe due to the specific schedule of bank holidays in Odisha, West Bengal, and Tripura, where back-to-back local observances are already underway.

The 5-Day Banking Timeline (Odisha, WB & Tripura)

Since yesterday was the 23rd, the sequence of the closure is already in motion:

• Jan 23 (Yesterday): Closed for Netaji Jayanti and Saraswati Puja.

• Jan 24 (Today): Closed (Fourth Saturday).

• Jan 25 (Sunday): Closed (Weekly Off).

• Jan 26 (Monday): Closed (Republic Day).

• Jan 27 (Tuesday): Proposed Nationwide Strike.

National Impact: 4-Day Closure

Across the rest of the country, banking services are halted for four consecutive days starting today (Jan 24). The Tuesday strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), is a significant escalation in the demand for a five-day working week. The union is protesting a two-year delay in government approval for the proposal, which would trade 40 minutes of extra daily work for all Saturdays off.

While digital channels like UPI, Net Banking, and IMPS will remain fully operational throughout this period, physical cash availability at ATMs might run low by Monday or Tuesday due to a lack of replenishment services; furthermore, all branch-level critical tasks—including cheque clearances, loan processing, and locker access—will remain suspended and are only expected to resume on Wednesday, January 28, following the conclusion of these bank holidays in Odisha.