If you hold an account with a public sector bank, you could be in for a serious cash flow problem over the next fortnight. No, not because of the meltdown on Wall Street or the global credit crisis, but for a rather more familiar domestic conundrum. Between September 21 and October 2, most of the 65,000 branches of state-owned banks will be open to customers for scarcely three-and-a-half days thanks to a fortuitous?for bank staff, that is?sequence of strikes and public holidays.

Consider this. The United Forum of Bank Unions has called a two-day strike on September 24 and 25 to vent its ire against the government?s banking sector reform agenda. September 26 is a restricted bank holiday on account of Jamat-ul-Vida. September 27, being a Saturday, most banks will operate only until noon. On Tuesday, September 30, banks? doors will be firmly shut to customers because of half-yearly account closing.

October begins with another restricted bank holiday: Id-ul-Fitr/Ramzan. And, of course, there?s October 2, a national holiday. This, in effect, means public sector bank customers can visit their branches only on September 22, 23, 27 (half-day) and 29. Cheques may take longer than usual to show up in their accounts, as clearing house operations would also be hit.

An estimated 80-lakh people visit the branches of state-run banks on an average working day. Some 90% of the 1.3 crore SMEs in the country, which contribute to nearly half the country?s GDP, bank with these government-owned banks.

TN Goel, All-India State Bank Officers? Federation president admits that the stir slated for next week would create problems for industry and that losses could run into lakhs of crores of rupees, but stresses that unions don?t mean to cause such harm. ?Individuals, however, would not feel the brunt as they can still access ATMs and transact through Internet banking,? he said.

This is not the first time that unions have timed their strikes around long weekends and public holidays. In February this year, the United Forum of Bank Unions planned a two-day strike right next to a weekend. Last year, it held a three-day strike coinciding with a weekend.

And if you think that the upcoming strike will be the last one this year, think again. The All-India State Bank Officers? Federation has announced an indefinite strike from October 20?a Monday!