Bank work to be hit as staff roped in for poll duties

Banking work may be hit this weekend as employees have been put on election duty.

PSU bank staff have been assigned poll duty on May 12.

Bank officials said that at least 5,000 to 6,000 PSU bank employees across the city have been assigned election duty.

“Though elections are on May 12, which is a second Saturday and bank holiday, staff assigned to election duty must report a day in advance. Hence, a majority of staff will not be available from May 11. This may affect bank work this weekend,” said K R Jayasimha, senior manager of lead bank.

“There will be two consecutive holidays for banks, Saturday and Sunday (May 12 and 13) hence the customers will suffer this weekend. The private banks which are exempted from election duties will function normally,” he added.

There are more than 2,300 PSU bank branches in the city. According to Jayasimha, more than 1,700 staff from SBI and Canara Bank have been assigned to the poll duties.

Bank work has already been hit due to election training with banks functioning just one or two staff.