Demand for Bankers’ Protection Act grows after The Hindu report

Bankers in Maharashtra seek protection after assaults during implementation of government scheme, urging Finance Minister for intervention.

A day after The Hindu published a report on growing assaults on bankers in Maharashtra during the implementation of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a direct benefit transfer scheme, bankers from different parts of the country have sought the Finance Minister’s intervention to bring about a Bankers’ Protection Act.

Many employees from public sector banks wrote to express concern about the attacks and seek permanent recruitment, staff protection, and special legislation for the purpose. Legislators also took note of the report, seeking more government accountability.

The attacks on bank employees began soon after the Maharashtra government rolled out the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, one of its flagship schemes, in August 2024. Under this, the government provides a monthly financial benefit of ₹1,500 to women through direct benefit transfer.

Women between 21 and 65 years, who are permanent residents of the State, and have an annual family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh, are eligible. The number of beneficiaries is 2.34 crore. The government had said financial assistance under the scheme would be transferred directly to the selected applicant’s bank account.

Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra, Fauzia Khan (NCP-SP), stated, “The Hindu addresses a critical issue with the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The scheme itself is proof that populist schemes with no proper layout for implementation do public services more harm than good. How can a financial scheme be planned without consideration of our financial institutions and the thousands of employees who work there? Are bankers such easy targets for goons? What does this say about the state of public sector banks and government management?”

“Policymakers must recognise practical challenges and provide real solutions rather than populist promises that threaten employees. Thanks for the burning fact-based story from Maharashtra,” Vitthal Mane, convener of the United Forum of Bank Unions, posted on social media platform X, while talking about the impact of Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

“Security is our primary concern. Staff shortage is the second concern. In the last 10 years, when you see the data, we are less in numbers by around 50,000. So, while business is increasing, we aren’t getting sufficient staff in branches to offer customers service. Hence it leads to mismanagement. The government is bent on not providing jobs and hence PSBs are struggling,” said a banker who preferred to stay anonymous.