SHILLONG: Meghalaya state unit of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) on Tuesday jined the All India Bank Strike along with the bank unions in the rest of the country. The strike paralysed banking operations in the state.
photo: Sanjib Bhattacharjee.
The nationwide strike has been called to oppose the alleged anti-people banking reforms, writing off of corporate non-performing assets (NPAs), increase in bank charges.
The UBFU has demanded the implementation of Parliamentary Committee, recommendations on the recovery of NPAs, stringent measures for recovery of bad loans, withdrawal of proposed Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill.
Other demands include the abolition of banks board bureau, adequate recruitment in all cadres and resolution of issues relating to employees.
In a press statement, the UFBU asserted that for saving the nation, public sector banks have to be saved from the lurking danger of privatisation and mergers and all anti-labourer reforms have to be strongly opposed.
“Another danger gripping the country is the merger of banks on the pretext of forming so called ‘strong’ banks which is a cover up to weaken the public character of Public Sector Banks (PSBs)and eventually sell them off to Corporate,” the statement stated.
“Huge NPAs of the corporate will be covered up and eventually written off by the hard earned money of the common man. As on date more than 70 per cent of bad debts of all banks are due to rampant and unethical lending to Corporates for which the nation is paying dearly,” the statement added.
Later, convener of Meghalaya state unit of the UBFU told The Shillong Times, that over 10 lakhs bank workmen and officers took part in the bank strike.