Banks across Odisha remained open on Sunday as part of a stopgap arrangement to minimise inconvenience to customers ahead of a three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30. Also Read: Nationwide bank strike from September 28; services may be hit again United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called the three-day strike in the country, seeking the implementation of a five-day banking week, adequate recruitment in banks, restoration of the old pension scheme , pension revision and an increase in the gratuity limit. The union has warned of an indefinite strike from October 26 if its demands are not addressed. Banks Opened To Ease Customer Inconvenience To facilitate customer services and ensure smooth cash transactions during the strike period, the Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had directed all public sector and regional rural bank branches to remain open on Sunday. Banks had remained closed on Saturday due to the ‘fourth Saturday’ holiday. The decision to keep branches open on Sunday was opposed by the bank unions. Members observed what they termed ‘Black Sunday’ by wearing black badges in protest. The union described the move as an unprecedented development in banking history. With banks set to remain closed for three days from Monday due to the strike, followed by the October 2 holiday, customers in Rourkela turned up at branches on Sunday to complete pending banking work. All government bank branches in the city were reportedly operational, with customers making use of the additional working day. Several customers welcomed the decision, saying the Sunday opening provided an opportunity to complete necessary transactions before the scheduled strike.
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