New Delhi, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Public sector banks and regional rural banks will remain operational on Sunday, September 27, to ensure that customers’ banking needs are not disrupted for an extended period ahead of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a countrywide strike from September 28 to 30. The proposed industrial action follows the weekend holidays on September 26 and 27, raising concerns over prolonged disruption to banking services.
“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 Finance Ministry said.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the operation of all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27.
The Finance Ministry said the welfare and convenience of bank customers remained a priority and that the government and bank managements had appealed to the unions to defer the proposed strike.
It added that measures were being taken to ensure that essential banking services continued without interruption.
The government has also urged employees of public sector banks and regional rural banks to withdraw the proposed strike, pointing out that one of the unions’ principal demands had already been addressed.
The unions have been seeking implementation of a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The UFBU and other unions representing employees of public sector and regional rural banks have called for a series of strikes over these demands.
According to the Finance Ministry, the government held detailed discussions after taking note of the concerns raised by the unions and decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance.
The ministry said the decision addressed one of the two main demands raised by the unions, while the demand for a five-day banking week continued to be under examination.
“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,” the ministry said.
FOLLOW NOW
