Employees oppose merger of associate banks with SBI

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 16

Members of the State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA) has given a call for agitation against Central’s approval for merger of associate banks with SBI. A demonstration was held in front of the State Bank of Patiala’s zonal office.

Lalit Mohan Chadda, organising secretary, All-India SBOP Employees’ Federation, Atul Laroia, regional secretary, Ashok Salaria, Sushma Bhagat, Kirandeep Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, central committee members, State Bank of Patiala Employees Union (Punjab unit) addressed the employees. While addressing the bank employees, Lalit Mohan Chadda said on June 15, Centre gave its in-principal approval to for associate banks-SBI merger proposal.

The move to merge State Bank of Patiala and other four associate banks with the State Bank of India is shocking. On May 17, the boards of directors of the associate banks forced by the major shareholders the State Bank of India had given approval for initiating negotiations.

Protesting over this move, the employees went on strike on May 20 as per the call of the All-India Bank Employees’ Association and State Sector Bank Employees’ Association, the apex organisation of the unions in the associate banks.

“Our unions are already on the agitation path demanding the rollback of the merger move and delinking of associate banks from SBI. The proposal to close down the associate banks and merger with the State Bank of India is undesirable. The associate banks have been providing good services in their respective areas and in fact, in most of the parameters, their performance is far better than even the SBI. Delinking the associate banks from SBI and making them independent banks would enable them to grow,” said a union member.