SBIOA Delegation Meets MP Khatana, Seeks Intervention for Early Implementation of Five-Day Banking

Convener News Desk

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Jammu, October 19: A delegation of the State Bank of India Officers’ Association (SBIOA), Jammu Module, called on Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana at his Jammu residence and sought his intervention for early implementation of a five-day banking week.

 

The delegation urged Khatana to take up the issue with the Union Finance Minister and the Department of Financial Services, seeking a decision on the proposal to declare the remaining Saturdays as bank holidays.

Deputy General Secretary, SBIOA Jammu Module, Rajesh Mehta said the proposed five-day week would provide a more sustainable work pattern for bank employees while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential banking services. He said bank unions had agreed to work additional hours on weekdays so that there would be no loss of working hours.

The delegation said digital banking channels, including UPI, internet and mobile banking and ATMs, would continue to function, while suitable arrangements could be made for elderly, rural and digitally excluded customers.

It also referred to the proposal submitted by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on July 12, 2023, for declaring all Saturdays as banking holidays. According to the delegation, the 12th Bipartite Settlement and 9th Joint Note, signed on March 8, 2024, recorded the recommendation, with consequential changes in working hours to take effect after government approval and necessary clearances.

The delegation further said that following industrial-relations discussions on September 27, 2026, a high-level committee comprising the IBA and bank unions was constituted to deliberate on five-day banking. It said the committee held its first meeting on October 1.

Welcoming the dialogue, the delegation said a time-bound roadmap was needed for a final decision and implementation of the long-pending proposal.

It also requested Khatana to raise the matter in Parliament through a Question, Zero Hour submission or Special Mention, seeking the present status of the IBA proposal and a definite timeline for the government’s decision.