New Delhi, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, as the government has directed banks to stay operational a day before the proposed three-day nationwide strike by bank employees from September 28 to 30.
The move is aimed at minimising disruption to the banking needs of the public. The Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and Currency Chests on Sunday.
The Finance Ministry said the decision was taken in view of the proposed strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which coincides with the preceding weekend holidays on September 26 and 27.
“In view of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens,” the ministry said.
The arrangement is expected to reduce disruption to economic activity, which could otherwise have extended over five days because of the weekend holidays followed by the three-day strike.
The UFBU and certain other unions of public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks have called the strike over demands including the implementation of a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
At present, bank employees get two Saturdays off each month, while unions are seeking holidays on all four Saturdays.
The Finance Ministry said the welfare and convenience of bank customers remained the government’s foremost priority. It added that the government and bank managements had appealed to the unions to defer the proposed strike and had taken measures to ensure essential banking services continued without interruption.
The government has also appealed to employees of public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks to call off the strike, pointing out that one of the unions’ key demands had already been addressed through the decision to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance.
The ministry said the decision was taken after detailed discussions and consideration of the concerns raised by the unions.
“Given that most concerns of the unions have been substantially addressed, that the remaining demand continues to be examined, and that the government continues to proactively introduce welfare measures for the banking workforce, bank employees are urged to refrain from resorting to strikes, work towards resolving issues through dialogue, and ensure that banking services remain uninterrupted,” it said.
FOLLOW NOW
