The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit on Thursday debunked a document circulating on social media that claimed the Central Government had declared every Saturday a public holiday for all public sector banks, including the State Bank of India (SBI).In a post on X, PIB Fact Check said the purported Gazette, which was attributed to the ministry of finance’s department of financial services, was fake and that no such notification had been issued by the finance ministry.
What PIB Fact Check said
“A Gazette circulating on social media, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services), claims that the Central Government has declared every Saturday a public holiday for all Public Sector Banks, including SBI,” PIB Fact Check said.It added, “The document being circulated is Fake. No such notification has been issued by @FinMinIndia declaring every Saturday as public holiday for public sector banks.”The fact-check unit also urged people to flag suspicious content related to the Central Government through PIB Fact Check.
Five-day banking week demand remains under discussion
The fake document comes against the backdrop of the long-standing demand for a five-day banking week.The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) had recently deferred its proposed three-day nationwide strike after reaching an understanding with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). One of the key issues discussed was the demand to declare the remaining Saturdays as holidays.Under the understanding, a high-level committee comprising representatives of the IBA and UFBU will examine the issue, explore possible alternatives and consult stakeholders, including customers, according to the UFBU circular.The unions had earlier planned the September 28-30 strike with five-day banking among their key demands. The agitation was deferred after the IBA gave assurances on the issue and other matters.
What the government has actually notified
The PIB clarification makes clear that there is no notification declaring every Saturday a public holiday for public sector banks.The recent agreement between the IBA and UFBU only provided for discussions through a committee on the demand for declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays.It did not amount to a government notification implementing a five-day banking week.
