SBI incentive issue reaches FM

Chandigarh 28 March (Wishav Warta) The decision of SBI to pay incentive to its employees for working during covid 19 lock down has attracted protest. The issue had reached union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman along with a copy of circular dated 27.3.2020 issued by HRD Department of State Bank of India. It envisages payment of extra compensation to SBI employees payment of one day’s extra salary for every six working days during period of National level Lockdown. It is stated that SBI employees are giving their services during difficult times.
Advocate Hari Chand in his protest letter has said that aforesaid circular is a mockery of state of financial emergency through which the Country is passing due to spread of COVID-19 VIRUS. It is nothing but a fraud on Government exchequer. SBI branches are open during lock down period also, like other nationalized banks, but they are not discharging any public duties; Only cash receipt and payments are being done. For instance, SBI Branches are not even accepting payment of application fee from the candidates who want to deposit such application fee for recruitment as ETT Teachers/Masters in the State of Punjab. In such circumstances, some appropriate action should have been taken against management of SBI. Any way, payment of extra money to SBI Employees, for discharging less than ordinary duties, during period of  nationwide lock down is atrocious. Such payment/compensation is an insult to all those citizens who are liberally donating to Corona Relief Funds. This starts a very bad and negative trend. Kindly direct the management of SBI to withdraw the aforesaid circular, in the interest of millions  of hungry masses, who are sleeping without food during the current national crisis. Let the amount so saved be utilized for feeding the hungry and needy.