Employees and officers under the banner of United Forum of RBI Officers and Employees have called a country-wide strike on January one 2013 to protest the decision to close currency notes and coins issue counters from that date.

In a press statement issued by the forum, General Secretary of the All India Reserve Bank Employees Association Samir Ghosh said that the RBI was mandated by the RBI Act 1934 to manage, issue and exchange of currency notes and coins throughout the country.

RBI's effort was also complemented by the various branches of commercial banks across the country.

He said that the RBI management had decided to close down 200 counters in the 19 offices in state capitals and a few other big cities.

This, he said, would render about a thousand staff and officers surplus.