New Delhi: The Centre has allowed September salary, wages and pension payments for eligible central government employees and pensioners to be disbursed on Friday ahead of a proposed nationwide bank strike from Monday to Wednesday. Public sector banks (PSBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs) will also function normally on Sunday, September 27, giving customers an additional banking day before the proposed disruption.
A September 23 memorandum issued by the controller general of accounts covers central government employees, including those in defence, posts and telecommunications, industrial employees and central government pensioners. The September payment will be treated as an advance rather than an additional benefit, with any required adjustment to be made after the full month’s entitlement is determined, including through October salary or wages where applicable.
Why banks are opening on Sunday
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has maintained its call for a three-day strike after discussions with the government and bank management failed to resolve its key demand for a five-day banking week. The unions have also raised issues relating to the performance-linked incentive scheme (PLI), pensions, recruitment, staffing and working conditions, while the government has urged employees to continue negotiations.
The timing is particularly sensitive because September 30 is the banking sector’s half-yearly closing. The Reserve Bank of India has approved operations on September 27 covering branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests under the special arrangement, while PSBs and RRBs have been directed to function normally.
The government has also asked banks to keep ATMs adequately stocked and maintain cash availability through business correspondent outlets. Several lenders have advised customers to complete important branch-based transactions before the strike and use internet banking, mobile banking and UPI services where available.
What customers should know
Private sector banks should not automatically be assumed to be closed from September 28 to 30. The impact will depend on workforce participation and individual bank operations, and customers should check their lenders’ advisory before planning branch visits.
The key dates are September 25 for advance central government salary, wages and pension payments, September 27 for normal operations at PSBs and RRBs, and September 28 to 30 for the proposed strike. September 26 is the fourth Saturday, while September 30 also marks the banking half-yearly closing.
Digital payments and self-service banking channels are expected to remain available during the strike, although particular services may vary by bank. Transactions requiring branch staff, physical documents or manual processing could face delays.
UFBU has said the strike will proceed unless there is concrete progress on its five-day-week demand. If the unions defer or withdraw the action before September 28, customers should follow revised advisories from their banks and the government.