Where is the safety of Bankers ?

By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
Bankers been rendering exemplary service to keep the wheels of the economy moving fulfilling the various schemes of the government. There has been a rising number of assaulting bankers cases at work place but the government has done very little to provide a sense of safety and security at the workplace. Recently one customer of Bank of India at Nadiad Branch in Gujarat brutally assaulted and threatened one young officer without any reason.
FBOIOA and BOIOA (Gujarat Unit) has strongly condemned such unprovoked and vengeful act against a colleague who was merely doing his duty as every banker is entitled to a life of dignity and safety at the workplace. This is not first incident. There have been series of assaults on bankers while on duty, which various banking organisations like AIBOC & FBOIOA have earlier highlighted to the Ministry of Finance from time to time. In past taking cognisance of a bank employee being manhandled, the finance ministry has assured that the government is committed to the safety of bankers and swift action will be taken against the person involved in the incident.
In past, the incident of manhandling of a banker of State Bank of India was reported from Wardha district of Maharashtra. In 2020a police constable in Surat, Gujarat allegedly manhandled a female employee of Saroli branch of Canara Bank. She was allegedly abused and pushed for not being able to print passbook as the printer was not working. After the incident of attack on woman banker, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said and assured to ensure the safety of workers and timely action in the matter and nothing should threaten the safety and dignity of bank employees. Most banks tend to attend to not more than 100 customers on normal days. No doubt, an employee may err but nobody has the right to physically assault him on duty.
Stating that banking operations are crucial to the economy, the Department of Financial Services has already written a letter to the chief secretary of states that in the light of rising incidences of unruly behaviour of anti-social elements against the bankers but the government needs to take stern actions. There is a need to deal firmly with miscreants who indulge in such attacks. Such repeated incidents need to be responded to proactively and with a firm hand, strict action taken against such elements with full force of law so that bankers are protected and the public assured of secured access to banking services. Security arrangements must be reviewed in the branches to prevent such kind of heinous attack on the bankers.
Despite of amid challenges, banks are extending all services to public and therefore the safety of all bankers is very important. The entire nation has observed that the staff of banks and other financial sector entities had played a critical role in providing essential services during the pandemic. According to data, more than 600 bank staff lost their lives and the percentage of death in the banking industry is even higher in comparison to the entire country.
Misbehaving, Abusing and Assaulting with a Bank employee comes under IPC 332 and 352 which may attract 2 to 3 year imprisonment and a non boilable crime. Bank employees need to be assured about their safety as such incidents result in the exact opposite and end up demoralizing their families. Government must enact a new legislation to protect Bank employees from physical assault while on duty. Don’t we think bankers life must be protected who work hard though in stress? Don’t we think a deterrent action against such culprits must be dealt with? Don’t we think such incidents need to be dealt with promptly to infuse confidence among the bankers community?