New Delhi, Sept. 23: Public sector banks and regional rural banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, as the government moves to ensure that banking services remain available ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30.
The decision covers the weekend immediately preceding the proposed strike, with September 26 and 27 otherwise falling within the preceding weekend holidays. The Finance Ministry said the arrangement aims to prevent prolonged disruption to the banking needs of the public.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the continued operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and Currency Chests on September 27. The Finance Ministry said the measure forms part of steps taken to maintain essential banking services during the period.
The proposed strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), along with certain other unions representing employees of public sector banks and regional rural banks. The unions are seeking implementation of a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
The government and bank managements have appealed to the unions to defer the proposed industrial action. The government has also urged employees of public sector banks and regional rural banks to withdraw the strike, arguing that one of the unions’ two main demands has already been addressed.
Following discussions on the concerns raised by the unions, the government decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance. The Finance Ministry has described the decision as fulfilling one of the two principal demands raised by the unions, while the demand for a five-day banking week remains under examination.
The ministry said it continues to introduce measures concerning the welfare of the banking workforce and urged employees to resolve the remaining issues through dialogue rather than strike action. It also called for banking services to continue without interruption.
With the proposed strike scheduled for three days after the weekend, the opening of banks on September 27 is intended to provide customers an additional working day before the industrial action begins.
The government said the welfare and convenience of bank customers remain a priority and that steps have been taken to ensure essential services continue during the period.
