DW BUREAU / PATIALA United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine unions at its virtual meeting held on November 29 and 30 has called for two-day nation-wide strike from December 16 opposing the move of the Central government to privatise the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and resist the move of introduction and passage of Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. In a demonstration held today at Leela Bhawan Complex, SK Gautam, Joint Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), said that for the past 25 years, from the banner of UFBU we have been opposing the policies of banking reforms which are aimed at weakening PSBs. He said in February this year, when the Government announced in the Budget that two PSBs would be privatised in addition to IDBI Bank, UFBU immediately met and gave the call for strike on March 15 and 16 which was a massive success due to the enlarged participation of bank employees and officers. The AIBEA Joint Secretary quoting UFBU circular said since we learn that the Government has listed Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 for introduction and passage during the current session of Parliament, UFBU held its meeting on November 29 and 30 and decided to petition to all MPs on December 3, dharnas and massive demonstrations in all State Capitals on December 4. Yadvinder Gupta, President SBIEU Chandigarh Circle said, on the day of introduction of Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, there will be a demonstration outside Parliament by the UFBU leaders, submission of online petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 14 and press meets in all state capitals on December 15 on the issue. He said further strike actions to be decided looking at developments in the ongoing Parliament session and added that the strike notice has been served by UFBU on the Indian Banks Union (IBA). The rally was also addressed by Sanjiv Prasher, Vice-Chairman PBEF Patiala, Manga Ram, president of the PBEF Patiala. Other leaders of the Federation including Dev Raj, PNB, Deepak Jindal, Sanmeet Singh, Balvir Sharma, Harjit Singh, S.S. Gill, Barinder Singh, Paramjit Singh, Taurn Kaura, Kawaljeet Singh were present in the rally. (editor@dailyworld.in)