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PSBs Order Sunday Branch Opening for PM-KISAN Payout, Unions and Bankers Object
Public Sector Banks have ordered Sunday branch openings for PM-KISAN payouts, triggering bankers’ and union concerns over poor planning, lack of overtime clarity and work-life balance concerns.
Author: Neha Bodke
Published: August 2, 2025
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Barely days after Bank of Baroda (BOB) staff protested against an order to open branches on Sunday, multiple public sector banks including Union Bank of India and Indian Bank have issued similar instructions. The move is linked to the Government’s plan to release the 20th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
In a circular dated August 1, 2025, Union Bank directed all branches to remain open on August 3, 2025 (Sunday), following instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the Department of Financial Services. The National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT)/ Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) platform will operate on the day to facilitate fund settlement, ensuring eligible farmers receive payments on time.
However, the All India Union Bank Employees’ Federation (AIUBEF) has objected to the way the circular was issued, citing lack of proper planning and no clear instructions for compensating award staff with overtime allowances. The union drew parallels to the 2016 demonetisation period, when staff faced delays in receiving legitimate overtime payments.
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Image: AIUBEF’s 2 August 2025 letter to Union Bank management opposing Sunday opening for PM-KISAN payouts, citing poor planning and no overtime assurance.
“Working on holidays is not a regular practice and is typically limited to officers under centralized instructions. For instance, when the last day of the financial year falls on a holiday, branches may be asked to remain open. However, recently, some local managements have been informally pressuring clerical and subordinate staff to work on holidays without any official communication, compensation, or compensatory leave. This practice is unfair and deeply demoralizing,” a concerned employee of Union Bank of India told Kanal.
Indian Bank has also issued a notice for branch opening on the same Sunday, echoing the operational requirement for PM-KISAN disbursals.
Sreenath Induchoodan, General Secretary of AIBOC Kerala, told Kanal, “The decision regarding which branches are to be opened rests solely with the Zonal/Regional Offices. Only those instructed to attend should report, and management will ensure compensation for the staff attending duty.”
He further added, “We have never raised demands for monetary compensation for such instances because once a practice of ₹2000–₹3000 payouts is normalized, it risks becoming a precedent that can gradually erode our rightful holidays.”
Unions and employees across banks have expressed frustration at what they see as disregard for work-life balance, with Sunday considered a weekly off-day in the sector.
This latest controversy adds to a series of disputes over weekend branch operations, with bank unions repeatedly demanding proper consultation, compensation, and respect for employees’ rights before imposing such directives.
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