MPs demand govt response on bank strike in Rajya Sabha
The nationwide strike by public sector banks employees today figured in
Rajya Sabha as the Opposition asked the government to respond to the demands
raised by the bank unions.The nationwide
strike by public sector banks employees today figured in Rajya Sabha as
the Opposition asked the government to respond to the demands raised by
the bank unions.Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, D Raja (CPI) said the banks
unions are on strike to protest privatisation of public sector banks,
non-recovery of bad loans and no action being taken against wilful
defaulters.Raja said he has given a notice to discuss the issue. However, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the notice has not been admitted.T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) too raised the matter.Senior TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy asked the government to respond
to the demands of the bank unions, saying “it is a very sensitive issue
and the government should respond.There was no response from the government side.Services at around 80,000 bank branches in the country were hit today
as employees of public sector banks went on a one-day strike to protest
the proposed merger of SBI associates with the parent bank and other
issues. Private sector banks were working as usual.The United Forum of Banks Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of
nine bank employees’ and officers’ unions representing 8 lakh staffers,
has gone ahead with the strike, affecting services like cheque
clearances, cash deposit and withdrawal at branches and other
facilities.Highlighting the problems being faced by students who take loans for
studies, K K Ragesh (CPI-M) said SBI has sold its Rs 847 crore education
loan NPA to Reliance Asset Reconstruction Company.The private company, he said, has to return only 45 per cent of the
amount to SBI and that too over 15 years. He said the SBI should have
given the same offer of long term repayment to students who had taken
the loans.Raising the issue of drinking water scarcity in North Karnataka, K Rehman Khan (Congress) sought the intervention of Prime Minster to resolve the situation.Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that on July
27, TMC member Roy had objected to a paper she was laying in the House
even before going through its content.To this, Roy said “I tender my unconditional apology”, drawing applause from Deputy Chairman Kurien.Earlier as soon as the House met for the day, members condoled the
death of renowned writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi. Chairman
Hamid Ansari read out the condolence message.
