In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Finance said that every public‑sector bank (PSB) and regional rural bank (RRB) will remain fully functional on Sunday, Sept 27, despite the looming nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) scheduled for Sept 28‑30.
The UFBU, which claims to represent about 90 % of the banking workforce, has called for a five‑day banking week and other demands, planning a three‑day walkout that would coincide with the sector’s half‑yearly closing.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) confirmed that it has granted approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM‑link branches and currency chests to stay open on Sept 27, ensuring that cash and other services remain available to the public.
The Department of Financial Services, under the Ministry of Finance, reiterated that the welfare and convenience of bank customers remain the government’s top priority, and urged unions to reconsider the timing of the strike.
Both the government and bank managements have appealed to the UFBU to defer the strike and have taken precautionary measures to keep essential banking services uninterrupted during the protest period.
Banks have also advised customers to complete any essential transactions well before the strike dates to avoid inconvenience, warning that service disruptions could affect loan repayments, fund transfers and other routine banking activities.