: Accusing the Centre of plans to merge all the nationalised banks into just five or six in the future, representatives of the Canara Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU), a member of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), have vowed to resist it.
Expressing concern over the merger of five banks with the State Bank of India, at a press conference in city on Sunday, CBEU Andhra Pradesh committee secretary K. V. Ranga Rao said despite their opposition, the government decided to merge the banks.
“Notwithstanding the decision, we will go on strike on July 12 and 13 under the leadership of the AIBEA demanding the withdrawal of the merger move,” he said.
“The government’s desire to see an Indian bank among the top 50 of the world is the only reason behind merger. Intentionally, nationalised banks that are doing well are shown as making losses to create an impression that they are failing to perform individually,” Mr. Rangarao said.
Asked about loss to the public due to the merger, he said that there would be no major problems, but local governments are against the move.
CBEU shifts to city
Parting ways from its counterpart in Telangana, the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of Canara Bank Employees’ Union shifted its activity to capital region.
The State Committee has established an office in Satyanaryana Puram of city and elected new office-bearers. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, committee secretary K.V. Ranga Rao said the new body is on charge from the current month and was elected on May 30 in Hyderabad. Post bifurcation of State we decided to separate the employees unions and implemented the same now.
There are 280 branches of Canara Bank in the 13 districts, and about 965 employees work for the bank in Andhra Pradesh, he said. The committee will be available in Vijayawada for the employees and efforts will be put to solve their problems, he said.
The newly elected office bearers include chairman G. Koteswara Rao, vice-chairpersons M. Saroja, M. Arunbabu, G.D. Chinthamani, A. Srinivasa Rao and V. Ramachandra Rao and treasurer U.V.S.S. Hari Varma.
