Mumbai — State Bank of India (SBI) has announced that customers will not have to pay ATM transaction charges from September 28 to 30, offering relief to people as bank unions prepare for a three-day nationwide strike.
The bank said the measure has been introduced to ensure that customers continue to have access to essential banking services during the proposed strike and face minimal disruption to their financial transactions.
In a post on X, SBI said its banking services would remain available during the strike period. As part of its arrangements, customers using any bank’s ATM will not be charged transaction fees between September 28 and 30.
SBI has also announced that its branches will remain open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of the strike. Digital banking services, including UPI, IMPS, RTGS and NEFT, are also expected to function normally.
The arrangements come against the backdrop of a proposed three-day nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30. With September 26 and 27 falling on the preceding weekend, the strike could otherwise have resulted in a prolonged disruption to regular banking services.
The government has therefore directed public sector banks to remain operational on Sunday to meet customers’ banking requirements ahead of the strike.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the opening of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and Currency Chests on September 27. According to the Finance Ministry, all public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will operate normally that day.
“In view of the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30, coinciding with the preceding weekend holidays of September 26 and 27, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard the banking needs of citizens,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
The government said the measures are aimed at limiting the impact on economic activity and ensuring that customers can access essential banking facilities despite the proposed strike.
The Finance Ministry added that customer welfare and convenience remain a priority. The government and bank managements have also appealed to the unions to reconsider the strike and have taken steps to keep essential banking services running.
–IANS