A nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30 is set to follow a weekend and the half-yearly closing of banks, prompting the Centre to advance September salaries and pensions for central government employees and direct banks to open on Sunday, September 27.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which claims to represent around 90 per cent of the banking workforce, has called the three-day strike over demands including a five-day banking week and uniform pension provisions across the banking sector.
According to a PTI report cited by NDTV Business, the Finance Ministry has advised ministries and departments to release September salaries, wages and pensions to central government employees ahead of the usual schedule. An office memorandum issued by the Controller General of Accounts permits the payments to be drawn and disbursed on Friday, September 25.
The arrangement covers employees in departments including Defence, Posts and Telecommunications. September pensions for central government pensioners can also be released on September 25. The advance payment will be adjusted if required against the October 2026 salary, wage or pension payment after the full month’s entitlement is determined.
Departments have also been advised to process payments and other banking transactions due towards the end of September in advance wherever possible. The measure is intended to reduce the number of transactions that could be affected when branches close during the strike period.
The Finance Ministry has further asked all banks, including Regional Rural Banks, to keep their branches open on Sunday, September 27. The Reserve Bank of India has approved the full operation of bank branches, ATM-linked branches, offices and currency chests on that day.
The additional banking day comes before September 26 and 27, which are weekend holidays, and the three-day strike beginning on September 28. It is intended to give customers an opportunity to complete essential branch-based transactions before services are disrupted.
Banks have begun advising customers not to wait until the final day for transactions requiring branch support. Customers may use mobile banking, internet banking and UPI where services are available. ATMs and Business Correspondent points can also be used for eligible services.
Banks have been asked to maintain sufficient cash availability at ATMs during the strike period. However, services that require in-person branch processing could be affected between September 28 and 30, depending on the participation of employees and the availability of alternative channels.
The Finance Ministry’s instructions place the immediate administrative focus on completing salary, pension and other scheduled payments before the weekend and the strike. Sunday banking on September 27 is the next official window for customers seeking branch-based services before the proposed shutdown begins.
