SSBEA decide intensive agitation programmes

Ludhiana: State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA) has given a call for agitational programmes followed by One Day Strike by SSBEA on 28th July 2016 for the demands of employees of Associate Banks and One Day Strike on 29th July 2016 by United Forum of Bank Unions to `Save Public Sector Banks`. Today, a massive demonstration was held in front of State Bank of Patiala, Zonal office, Miller Ganj, Ludhiana opposing Merger of Associate Banks with SBI and demanding Revision of Housing Loan.

On behalf of State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA), Com. Naresh Gaur, Secretary, SSBEA handed over a Memorandum to Sh. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Dy. Leader Opposition, Punjab Assembly & MLA, Ludhiana (West) Congress Party on Friday. The Memorandum was an Appeal for intervention to Save State Bank of Patiala from merger. SBOP, the one and only public sector bank having headquarter in Punjab has 1337 branches and offices with Rs. 1,91,729 crore business. The Bank is catering to the needs of every segment of the society engaged in various trade, business and professions. Whether it is loans to farmers or small industrialists or businessmen, self-employed, artisans or for Government sponsored schemes for employment generation and poverty alleviation or for students pursing higher education, SBOP is in the forefront in providing timely credit There is a great scope and need for our banks to expand. The country needs is banking expansion and not consolidation and mergers. We need strong and vibrant banks and not necessarily big banks. There is need to open more and more branches of the banks. But mergers and consolidation would only result in closure and reduction of bank branches. We are hopeful and confident that the people, Bank beneficiaries and customers, political, trade union, social organisations etc; of the State of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and outside will oppose the merger moves and join the movement for sustaining the identity of the Bank and strengthening its independent operations with total functional freedom relating to policies, programmes, products, process and services. Com. Gaur on behalf of SSBEA said that we appeal to Sh. Ashu to intervene in the matter at the appropriate level so as to protect and Save State Bank of Patiala and other Associate Banks from annihilation.

After receiving the Memorandum, while addressing the bank employees, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Dy. Leader Opposition, Punjab Assembly & MLA, Ludhiana (West) Congress Party assured to support the cause of SSBEA and to take the issue at the appropriate level. He said that SBOP being the one and only bank in the State of Punjab is very well catering to the needs of the common man and serving the people for the last 99 years. It would be our priority to save this Bank from being merged into SBI. Rather we will raise our voice to delink this bank from SBI enabling SBOP to independently grow more and more at its own not only for the people of Punjab State but also for the adjoining States.

Com. Naresh Gaur, Secretary, SSBEA & All India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation while addressing the bank employees said that staff housing loan limits have been increased in every other Bank. But the same old limits are continued in the Associate Banks. Why? Are the employees of Associate Banks any sinners? Are they second class citizens in the banking industry? Housing Loan limit has been improved upon for the officers in the Associate Banks but not for the Award staff. Why this discrimination? Govt. of India has given their guidelines that housing loan limit can be fixed by individual Banks. Whether Associate Banks are out of coverage of Government guidelines? We demand that housing loan limits of workmen employees of Associate Banks should also be upwardly raised.

Comrades, a serious situation has emerged before us. Bilateralism is given a go-bye. Unilateralism is sought to be made the rule. Law is ignored. Trade Union rights are overlooked. There is no option for us than to fight back the attempts of the SBI management.

Com. Ashok Malhan, Vice President, All India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation, Com. Pawan Thakur, President, Com. Harvinder Singh, Sr. Vice President, Com. Rajesh Verma, Vice President and Com. Ashwani Singla, Organizing Secretary, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana) were also present on this occasion.