Public sector banks to remain closed on all Saturdays?

Reports claiming that public sector banks will henceforth operate only five days a week, with all Saturdays declared holidays, are false, according to the Press Information Bureau.
A three-day nationwide strike by bank employees had earlier been announced from September 28 to 30, with demands including a five-day working week, pension benefits, filling vacant posts and regularisation of temporary employees.
Amid concerns over disruption to banking services, banks had advised customers to complete essential transactions in advance and use ATMs, internet banking and UPI services where required. The proposed strike was subsequently postponed following discussions between representatives of the Indian Banks’ Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions.
The talks also covered the proposal to declare all Saturdays as holidays for banks.
It was decided to constitute a high-level committee to examine alternative arrangements and assess the impact on customers and the public before taking a decision on the five-day working week.
Following the agreement, the bank employees’ unions officially announced the postponement of the proposed strike.
Subsequently, messages circulated on social media claiming that the Central Government had announced that public sector banks, including the State Bank of India, would remain closed on all Saturdays from this week and operate only from Monday to Friday.
The Press Information Bureau has clarified that the claim is false. The Union Finance Ministry has not issued any such announcement declaring all Saturdays as holidays for public sector banks.
Therefore, there is currently no official notification introducing a five-day working week for public sector banks.