Shield bank staff from assault, intimidation, Centre tells states

MUMBAI: Finance ministry has requested states to take pressing steps to guard bank workers from situations of assault and intimidation by anti-social parts, following experiences of such incidents disrupting banking operations.In a letter to chief secretaries, monetary companies secretary M Nagaraju stated that guaranteeing the uninterrupted availability of banking companies is essential for enabling households to satisfy day by day monetary wants, entry welfare advantages by means of DBT, and assist financial exercise by merchants, small companies, farmers and trade.Citing media experiences and social media posts, Nagaraju flagged disturbing incidents involving verbal abuse, bodily assault and operational disruptions at bank branches. “These unlawful actions discourage the morale of bank staff and undermine public trust in the safe delivery of banking services. Such actions must be dealt with firmly and promptly,” he stated.The ministry has requested state govts to direct district magistrates and police officers to take preventive steps, together with deploying police or patrols at delicate places throughout peak banking hours.