Bank staff protest PSB merger move

New Delhi: Members of the All India Bank Employees' Association on Saturday staged a protest in New Delhi against the Centre's decision to merge 10 public sector banks into four entities.

Employees of all public and private sector banks wore black badges to work as a mark of protest to the government's decision.

Association's general secretary C H Venkatachalam said the government's move was "ill timed" and needs a review. A rally opposing it was also planned by the association, Venkatachalam said.

He alleged the merger of public sector banks would mean closure of six banks. The BJP government at the Centre had on Friday unveiled a mega plan to merge 10 public sector banks into four, to create fewer and stronger global-sized bankers as it looks to revive economic growth.

"Government may call it a merger… but six banks which have been built up over the years will disappear from banking scenario", Venkatachalam said.