The Narendra Modi government that was locked in deep crisis after its demonetization drive, now seems to be worrying with growing restlessness among bank employees. Though it has been putting `brave face’ towards public uproar at banks and ATMs, now it is red-faced with `revolt’ attitude from the bank staff.
As the dead-line of 50 days for the hardships placed by the prime minister coming to an end in 10 days and no resolution to the currency crisis seen at sight, bank employees are turning impatient and turning their anger towards bank staff at several places.
The government is more worried over the principle demands of the employees unions, which is likely to expose the government nakedly. They are insisting that if RBI is not able to supply adequate cash to banks, the decision should be taken to suspend cash transactions in the bank branches till sufficient cash is supplied to banks. They also demanded CBI inquiry into the cases of seizure of huge number of new currency notes with some big persons when the bank branches are cash starved.
Sensing that government’s helplessness making them target of public uproar, the bank employees are resorting to agitations to mount pressure on the government for a solution from the present crisis. The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) have given a call for demonstration against the problems that various banks and their employees are facing due to demonetisation.
They have decided to held demonstrations on December 28, followed by the unions addressing a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on December 29. They are also planning to demonstrate over the issue on January 2 and 3, 2017. Already bank employees have protesting in all major centres at RBI branches.
AIBEA general secretary Ch Venkatachalam and his AIBOA counterpart S Nagrajan said their demands include to ensure supply of adequate cash to all banks and branches, restore all ATMs without further delay and ensure transparency in cash supply to banks. The unions also demanded compensation to the families of the persons and bank staff who lost their lives recently due to the demonetisation.
