Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Mar 15: Udupi branch of the United forum for bank employees staged a protest against privatization of banks by the union government.

A huge protest meeting was held near the Canara Bank of the city on Monday March 15 in this regard. Speaking on the occasion, Mario Mathias said, "Public sector banks are discharging their duties with the motto of service to the society. However, for private banks profit is the only motto. We have tried our best to implement the schemes of the government. But private sector banks are not bothered about this.

"This is a conspiracy by the union government to loot the capital invested by poor people. We have strived to develop the nation by opening branches in every village. An attempt is being made by the union government to loot the banks of the public sector. If this continues, the day is not far from the public getting down on the street to protest for the survival of their bank."

Anti-people, anti-labour policies of the union government were also criticized by the protesters.

Leaders of AIBEA Ramesh and Ravishankar, leader of AIBOC Ashok Kotian, leader of NCBE Supriya, leader of BEFI Ravindra, Mario Mathias, Avinash Hegde and Premnath Poojary of Canara Bank, Nagesh Nayak of Union Bank of India, Rammohan, president, Udupi district bank employees' association, Balakrishna Shetty of CITU, Varadaraja and Praveen of Canara Bank, Manjo Kumar Kalmady and Ramesh of Union Bank of India, Ramesh of Bank of Baroda, Suraj of UCO bank, Nithyananda of Karnataka Bank, other leaders like Jayan Malpe and Surekha were present.

This protest programme was organized by Herald D'Souza of UFBU. Scores of bank officials and employees took part in the protest.