SHILLONG:
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Meghalaya, has expressed concern that due to oversight on the part of the authorities there is a perception among some NGOs and social organisations as though the banking fraternity in Meghalaya deliberately chooses to ignore any district administration order on declaration of any local holidays.
“Therefore, a baseless false image of bankers defying local sentiments has emerged. As a result, many bankers in Shillong and other places had to face the humiliation and ignominy of being forced out of their offices and branches under some degree of threat and compulsion by the NGOs and social organisations,” UFBU said in a press statement on June 23.
According to the forum, June 22 was not an isolated incident, but part of a string of similar incidents that have happened over the past few years.
The UFBU said that June 22 was declared as a ‘Special Holiday’ on account of Rev. Thomas Jones Day for all state government offices and all revenue and magisterial courts and educational institutions in all the districts of Meghalaya, barring the Garo Hill Districts by the state government.
However, as per the above order, banks and financial institutions were not legally and procedurally covered under the ‘Special Holiday’, as any declaration of Holiday, ‘Special’ or otherwise, for banks and financial institutions had to be mandatorily declared under the Negotiable Instruments Act,1881.
“Any other order/notification issued by the government, in relation to declaration of holidays without including the same under the NI Act, 1881 is null and void. By not declaring the holiday correctly as per procedure the concerned government authority has left no choice for Banks but to remain open on 22 June 2023,” the UFBU stated.
The UFBU clarified to all concerned that the banking fraternity did not deliberately choose to ignore, defy or disrespect any local sentiment but due to the procedurally null and void declaration the holiday on account of Rev Thomas Jones Day, banks had to remain open and therefore bankers have been falsely painted in a bad light and their image has been unjustifiably tarnished.
“UFBU also requests that in future the government should be mindful of the provisions of the NI Act 1881, or take such steps to ensure that the dignity, safety and security of bankers is not in any way similarly jeopardized or threatened,” it stated.
The UFBU also stated that as a registered trade union body it reserves the right to agitate within the ambit of the Trade Union Act as may be deemed fit if such incidents happen in future.