Bank Strike Today: SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, Other Bank Services, ATMs to be Hit; Full List

Banking and ATM services across the country are likely to be affected, starting Thursday. To protest against central government’s decision to privatise public sector banks, the Union Forum of Bank (UFBU), an umbrella body of 9 bank unions has called a two-day strike from December 16. State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India and several other public sector bank services are likely to face disruption in the wake of bank strike.
Finace minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced in Union Budget 2021 that two public sector banks were going to be privatised during the current fiscal as part of the government’s Rs 1.75 lakh crore disinvestment target. To amend the provision in the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970, which makes it mandatory for the government to hold 51 per cent stake in public sector banks at all times, the Centre had decided to introdue the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament. The new bill will reduce the government’s minimum shareholding to 26 per cent. Bank unions are urging the Centre to withdraw the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021. It must be mentioned that the Bill might not be introduced during the winter session of Parliament.