MPs demand govt response on bank strike in Rajya Sabha

The nationwide strike by public sector banks employees today figured in Rajya Sabha as the Opposition asked the government to respond to the demands raised by the bank unions.The nationwide strike by public sector banks employees today figured in Rajya Sabha as the Opposition asked the government to respond to the demands raised by the bank unions.Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, D Raja (CPI) said the banks unions are on strike to protest privatisation of public sector banks, non-recovery of bad loans and no action being taken against wilful defaulters.Raja said he has given a notice to discuss the issue. However, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the notice has not been admitted.T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) too raised the matter.Senior TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy asked the government to respond to the demands of the bank unions, saying “it is a very sensitive issue and the government should respond.There was no response from the government side.Services at around 80,000 bank branches in the country were hit today as employees of public sector banks went on a one-day strike to protest the proposed merger of SBI associates with the parent bank and other issues. Private sector banks were working as usual.The United Forum of Banks Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine bank employees’ and officers’ unions representing 8 lakh staffers, has gone ahead with the strike, affecting services like cheque clearances, cash deposit and withdrawal at branches and other facilities.Highlighting the problems being faced by students who take loans for studies, K K Ragesh (CPI-M) said SBI has sold its Rs 847 crore education loan NPA to Reliance Asset Reconstruction Company.The private company, he said, has to return only 45 per cent of the amount to SBI and that too over 15 years. He said the SBI should have given the same offer of long term repayment to students who had taken the loans.Raising the issue of drinking water scarcity in North Karnataka, K Rehman Khan (Congress) sought the intervention of Prime Minster to resolve the situation.Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that on July 27, TMC member Roy had objected to a paper she was laying in the House even before going through its content.To this, Roy said “I tender my unconditional apology”, drawing applause from Deputy Chairman Kurien.Earlier as soon as the House met for the day, members condoled the death of renowned writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi. Chairman Hamid Ansari read out the condolence message.