Bank customers across Gujarat need to brace for a significant disruption in services as public sector banks in the state will remain shut for four consecutive days from Saturday, January 24, to Tuesday, January 27. This extended closure, a mix of scheduled holidays and a nationwide strike, is set to bring most traditional banking operations to a complete halt.
Detailed Breakdown of the Four-Day Shutdown
The shutdown sequence begins with the mandatory fourth Saturday holiday on January 24. This is immediately followed by the regular weekly closure on Sunday, January 25. The nation then celebrates Republic Day on Monday, January 26, which is a public holiday. The closure culminates on Tuesday, January 27, with a nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
This strike will halt branch operations, cash transactions, and cheque clearing services. The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) estimates that this single-day strike will impact transactions worth over Rs 50,000 crore across public sector banks in Gujarat alone.
Immediate Impact on Customers and Available Alternatives
For the public, the immediate consequence will be a four-day blackout for services that require physical branch presence. This includes:
- Over-the-counter cash withdrawals and deposits.
- Cheque clearing and processing.
- Any branch-based customer service or grievance redressal.
- New account openings or loan processing requiring branch visits.
However, digital banking channels are expected to function normally. Customers can rely on ATMs, UPI payments, mobile banking apps, and internet banking for most of their financial needs during this period. It is advisable to plan cash requirements in advance and postpone cheque-based payments that might get stuck in the clearing cycle.
Root Causes: The Demands Behind the Strike
The strike on January 27 is not an isolated event but a result of simmering discontent among bank employees. The primary trigger cited by the UFBU is the continued delay by the central government in approving a five-day banking week. An agreement was reportedly reached between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), bank managements, and unions in December 2023. This agreement proposed making all Saturdays holidays, with working hours on weekdays extended by 40 minutes—a model already followed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and most government offices.
Beyond this, the AIBEA has highlighted deeper systemic issues. The association pointed to a severe staff shortage in public sector banks. Between 2013 and 2024, the number of clerks and sub-staff plummeted from 4.58 lakh to 3.44 lakh, even as banking business volumes more than doubled. This crippling crunch leads to longer customer queues, slower service, and an unhealthy dependence on outsourced contract workers.
Furthermore, the unions have raised alarms over the large-scale write-offs of corporate loans. AIBEA alleges that while big corporate defaulters receive massive concessions, small borrowers face harsh recovery methods. They stated that between 2021 and 2025, public sector banks wrote off bad loans exceeding a staggering Rs 6 lakh crore. The unions also continue to oppose the government's push for bank privatisation.
This four-day closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges within the public banking system. While customers must navigate the immediate inconvenience, the underlying issues of staff welfare, operational reforms, and equitable recovery practices demand urgent resolution to prevent future disruptions.
