Banking services across Meghalaya were affected on Monday as bankers have gone on a nationwide strike to protest against the proposed privatisation of two state-owned lenders.
Bankers under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions, are going on a strike call till tomorrow.
Members of the Meghalaya unit of the UFBU held its protest in the premises of the State Bank of India’s main branch here which was attended by bank employees and officers.
“The desire of the central government to privatise public sector banks will directly affect the public, especially the poor and needy, farmers and others,” Organizing Secretary, All India Bank Officers Confederation Meghalaya State Unit, Davis Lyngdoh said.
The unions fear that the privatisation of two banks will inevitably lead to further such moves, which will threaten their job security and other perks.
In the Union Budget presented last month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the privatisation of two public sector banks (PSBs) as part of the government’s disinvestment plan.
