Bank Unions Ready With Agitation Plan

Bank unions yesterday threatened a countrywide strike if any attempt was made to merge or close public sector banks as recommended by the Narasimham Committee on banking reforms. The unions have also demanded an immediate start to negotiations on wage revision. Banking services may be disrupted in the coming months as the unions have readied an action plan against the Narasimham report.

The plan was decided at a meeting of the forum of unions yesterday. The campaign will include meetings with the Prime Minister and the finance minister.

The campaign will culminate in a total bank strike in the country if there is any move to implement recommendations like merger and closure of banks, said Shanti Sen Gupta, general secretary of the Aiboc. The unions will reveal their plan at a news conference today.

 

We are totally opposed to the report. We think mergers and closures of the banks are not the solution, Sen Gupta said.

On whether the unions have a plan for the weak banks, Sen Gupta replied: There are no weak banks. Try and recover the Rs 40,000-crore worth NPAs and these so called weak banks will become strong