NEW DELHI: Central government employees and pensioners may receive their September salary and pension on September 25, ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30.
The advance payment is aimed at avoiding inconvenience to employees and pensioners if banking transactions are disrupted during the strike. The measure covers Central government employees, including those in Defence, Posts and Telecommunications, as well as Central government pensioners.
According to an office memorandum issued by the Controller General of Accounts on Wednesday, September salaries, wages and pensions may be drawn and disbursed on Friday, September 25.
The September wages of industrial employees of the Central government may also be paid in advance on the same day. Pensions for September may be disbursed by banks and Pay and Accounts Offices on September 25.
The payment will be treated as an advance. Any adjustment required after the full month’s salary, wages or pension is determined will be made from the October 2026 salary or wages, according to the memorandum.
The government has also advised that other payments and banking transactions due towards the end of September may be processed in advance wherever feasible. The move assumes significance as the strike coincides with the closing days of the current quarter.
Banks to open on Sunday
In another step to reduce the impact on customers, public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, September 27.
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on the day.
The decision comes just before the proposed strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30. The strike is linked to several demands, including implementation of a five-day banking week.
September 26 is the fourth Saturday and September 27 is a Sunday. Without the special Sunday opening, the weekend followed by the three strike days could have resulted in an extended disruption of branch-based banking services. The government has therefore asked banks to remain operational on September 27 to meet customers’ essential banking needs. The Finance Ministry has also appealed to bank unions to defer the proposed strike and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue.
For customers, the advance arrangements mean that important branch-based transactions can be completed before the strike period. Digital banking channels may continue to provide access to several routine services, though customers have been advised by banks to plan important transactions in advance.
