CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organization of nine unions representing bank employees, has called for a strike across Maharashtra on Nov 16 to protest the alleged 'unsafe working environment' due to harassment and assault by some of the beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana.
"There is utter chaos in banks while implementing 'Ladki Bahin' scheme due to a lack of planning and communication on part of govt. Overall, there is an atmosphere of fear among bank employees. Therefore, we have decided to voice our concerns by observing a day-long strike," said UFBU state convener Devidas Tuljapurkar, who called for adequate security and additional manpower for the banks.
He cited a series of incidents in Beed, Jalna, Latur, Dhule, and Pune, where bank staff were harassed, abused, and even assaulted by scheme beneficiaries and local netas. UFBU claimed that there has been a huge rush at bank counters for opening new accounts, Aadhaar linking, and activating inoperative accounts for the scheme.
"With monthly aid from 'Ladki Bahin' scheme being credited into bank accounts, service charges are being debited automatically based on system settings. This has led to friction between account holders and bank staff. A section of local netas has been found fueling the fire by threatening and intimidating bank employees for no fault of theirs," Tuljapurkar said.
State minister Atul Save said bank unions should hold talks with govt before taking any extreme measures. "We are ready to discuss concerns raised by bank employees."
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