Banks in the state did not willfully ignore a notice to declare June 22 a holiday for Thomas Jones Day but were forced to open due to a procedurally “null and void” Meghalaya government order.
This was stated by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Meghalaya, in a press release today. Several bank branches were forced to close by pressure groups for not adhering to the ‘special holiday’. Criticism of the banks was also expressed by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council chief Pyniaid Sing Syiem.
However, UFBU said that June 22 was declared a special holiday by the state government for all state government offices and all revenue and magisterial courts and educational institutions in all the districts of Meghalaya, barring those in Garo Hill.
“However, as per the above order, banks and financial institutions were not legally and procedurally covered under the “special holiday”, as any declaration of holiday, special or otherwise, for banks and financial institutions have to be mandatorily declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881,” UBFU convenor Wanraplang Mawroh said. “Any other order/notification issued by the government in relation to declaration of holidays without including the same under the NIl Act 1881 is null and void.”
This forced banks to open as normal yesterday and caused a perception in the general public and among pressure groups that the banks deliberately chose to ignore the declaration of local holidays.
Having bank branches shut down by pressure groups for one holiday or another is a regular occurrence and “many bankers in Shillong and other places have to face the humiliation and ignominy of being forced out of their offices and branches under some degree of threat and compulsion”.
