Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 1: The members of the United Forum of Bank unions, Udupi unit staged protest in front of Corporation Bank, zonal office here on Saturday, August 31 against the merger of 10 public sector banks into 4.
Shashidhara Shetty, an employee of Syndicate bank addressing the protestors said, "The Union government has taken one party decision by merging banks. It is like the Tughlaq decision. We are strongly opposing it."
"It is a disappointing day for the bank employees and officers working in 10 PSBs of our country. The NDA Government in pursuance of their neo liberal policies has set in motion the merger of 10 Banks into 4 Banks. UFBU has been fighting against the merger of Banks. In response to this merger decision we have decided to hold a powerful demonstration today," Shashidhar added.
Shridhar Shetty said, "It is an unfortunate situation. The Union government has brought in many unhealthy developments that are against the economic system. There is a hidden political agenda behind it."
Another bank employee Manmohan, district president of the banks union questioned, "What is the need to merge. More and more government banks should come up in rural areas. But did they do? In 1969 there were 8000 banks but today there are 19000 more banks in the nation. Earlier State Bank of India got merged but did they benefit from the merger? Six banks will be closed forever due to one decision. The economy is slowing down. Why did the NDA government take such an illogical resolution? Now customers are getting good service. But by merger service will be affected. Merging banks is not a solution to clearing bad debts. Indians do not need big banks. The government is fully aware of the development in the banking sector. It is supporting the corporate sector. This merger will put thousands of bank employees out of jobs. Every year banks are recruiting thousands of workers. But today they are all under threat."
The protestors voiced slogans against the Union government such as 'We oppose merger', 'Hamari thakath is our Union'.
Nithyananda of Karnataka bank, Manoj Kumar of Corporation bank, Ramesh, Supriya of Bharathiya State bank were present.
Varadaraj of Canara bank, Ashok Kotian, Ravi Shankar, Nagesh Nayak, Ravindra, and Jayan Malpe were also present. Herald Dsouza, correspondent of district banks federation organized the protest.