Wage Strike Threatens Cash Availability: Industry Peers Warn Banks and ATMs Face Impact

Wage Strike Threatens Cash Availability: Industry Peers Warn Banks and ATMs Face Impact​

A labor strike involving cash replenishment staff employed by companies such as CMS InfoSystems and Hitachi Payment Services is anticipated to significantly affect cash loading operations, prompting industry players to issue warnings regarding potential shortages at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and in public sector banks.

The current dispute involves a demand for wage revision among the cash-loading personnel across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. While the strike is already underway in these northern states, sources suggest that its impact may extend to southern regions, including Karnataka.

Industry Impact and ATM Trends​

Industry observers have highlighted the severe strain on cash management, noting that ATMs could be the sector most negatively affected due to their dependency on vendor-managed out-of-cash replenishment services.

The Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi) provided data indicating a decline in the volume of ATM cash withdrawals over two years. The number of transactions fell from 570 million to 484.3 million. CATMi also estimated that the ATM network, which consists of approximately 250,000 devices across vendor-managed and bank networks, was affected by the strike.

The association stated that it urged banks to address these issues and provided a tentative resolution target of January 2025 for the workers involved in cash replenishment services.

Market Updates: Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown Intensifies​

In separate enforcement news, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted an intelligence-led operation across several operational states. This crackdown targeted organized wildlife crime syndicates originating from Bangladesh and resulted in a major seizure of illegal materials.

A total of over 440 endangered and protected wild animals were seized, along with around 15 kg of ivory and various elephant ivory articles. Thirty-three people were arrested nationwide during the operation.

One specific incident reported involved an operation near Sujan, where authorities apprehended four persons and seized approximately 11 kg of elephant ivory under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The joint operations involving the DRI, CBI, WCCB, and Customs also led to seizures including protected species such as Binturong, Shikra birds, Star tortoises, Wolverine monkeys, pangolin scales, and rare seahorses.

Banking Sector Concerns: BAI Urges Staged Liquor Ban in Bihar​

The Breweries Association of India (BAI) has called upon the state government to lift alcohol prohibition by implementing a phased approach and introducing a structured taxation model.

The association noted that during the first two months of 2026, the average monthly seizure tax on liquor amounted to 370,684 litres, marking a 14 percent increase over 2025. The BAI also pointed out that while the state government has benefitted significantly from high-alcohol content products, low alcohol content items like beer and wine have faced difficulties.

KANPRPLA Stock Price Movement​

Shares of Kanpur Plastipack Limited slipped today, concluding the session down 3.42% and settling at ₹196.06 in post-market trading. The stock traded within a range defined by a low of ₹195.11 and a high of ₹209.5, with 7,814 shares recorded during the day's activity.