Ludhiana, May 8
The World MSME Forum has draw urgent attention to the serious difficulties being faced by industries, traders, exporters and common consumers due to the large-scale deputation of bank employees for SIR training and survey-related duties by district administrations across Punjab. In a letter written to the Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, the World MSME Forum President Badish Jindal has stated that it has been observed that officials and staff members of various public and private sector banks are being continuously deputed for SIR-related assignments and training programmes lasting several days. With banks already grappling with acute manpower shortages, this diversion of staff is severely affecting normal banking operations.
“Industries are facing major hardships as routine banking activities such as cash deposits, cheque clearing, RTGS and NEFT processing, documentation, account servicing, and loan-related work are getting delayed. In a recent incident, Indian Bank officials refused to accept cash deposits because the teller concerned had been deputed for SIR training for three days. Such situations are creating panic and inconvenience among industrial units and businessmen who depend on uninterrupted banking services for daily operations,” said Jindal.
Jindal further said that the Punjab’s industrial sector is already passing through difficult economic conditions. Any disruption in banking services directly impacts production cycles, salary payments, raw material procurement, exports, and tax compliances. “If bank employees continue to be deputed for SIR surveys and related activities for several weeks or months, the functioning of the banking system may collapse partially in many districts due to manpower shortages. This would not only adversely affect industries and trade but also damage the overall economy and revenue collection of the state,” he added.
Jindal also said that banks are essential financial institutions and are already operating with limited workforce, adding “Their staff should not be diverted for prolonged non-banking duties, especially when the economy heavily depends upon smooth financial transactions and uninterrupted banking support.”
“We respectfully request the Punjab Government and district administrations to immediately review this policy and avoid deputing banking staff for prolonged SIR duties. The administration may instead engage private agencies, contractual manpower, temporary survey staff, or other independent resources for conducting such surveys and field activities so that banking operations remain unaffected,”, Jindal stated.
Jindal also said, “We further urge that banking institutions be treated as essential financial services and exempted from large-scale deployment in non-banking assignments, in the interest of industry, trade, employment generation, and economic stability of Punjab. We hope the government will take immediate corrective measures to prevent further disruption in the banking sector.”
