RBI Orders Banks Open Sunday Ahead of Three-Day Strike

The Reserve Bank of India has intervened to mitigate disruption to banking services by ordering banks across the country to operate on Sunday, 27 September, despite the day normally being a weekly holiday.

The directive comes ahead of a three-day strike called by bank unions beginning Monday, 28 September. The RBI's decision aims to provide customers with an opportunity to conduct essential banking transactions before the extended closure.

Bank unions have announced the industrial action to press their demands on various issues affecting the sector. The strike is expected to impact operations at all commercial banks, including public and private sector institutions, across India.

The RBI's Sunday operations order seeks to minimize disruption to the public and allow customers to withdraw cash, deposit cheques, and conduct other critical transactions. Banks have been advised to ensure adequate staffing and services on the weekend day to handle anticipated customer traffic.

This is among the periodic measures the central bank employs to balance the interests of workers and customers during industrial disputes in the banking sector.