New Delhi/Chennai, Jul 29 (IANS): Banking operations across the country were hit on Friday as around 10 lakh employees of private and nationalised banks struck work for a day to protest against central government's policies for the sector.

"The strike has evoked a good response nationwide as around ten lakh have participated in it. Most of the nationalised banks are closed," C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), told IANS in Chennai.

Echoing this, K. Phamaraiselvan, General Secretary of Andhra Bank Employees Union (Tamil Nadu unit) said: "The banking operations have been paralysed nationwide."

Earlier this month, major bank unions deferred a two-day strike call for July 12 and 13 following a restraint order by the Delhi High Court.

The unions in the banking sector had given the strike call protesting against the merger of the five associate banks of the State Bank of India (SBI) with the parent and the privatisation of IDBI Bank.