Staff deputed on poll duty, Fazilka bank stays shut

Hundreds of customers of Union Bank of India’s branch on Court Road here were left in the lurch after the administration deployed the bank staff on panchayat poll duty.

As a result, the bank remained shut from October 9 to 11. Out of seven employees, five male staffers were directed to participate in rehearsals. The two women staffers were, however, exempted from poll duty.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a manager said he had sought exemption for his staff from the SDM in this regard, but to no avail.

The manager added that two women staffers were shifted to a bank branch on Gaushalla Road and customers were urged to visit that branch.

The manager said he wasn’t sure whether the bank would be operational on October 14 as the staff has to collect election material and move to their respective polling booths.

Manish Kumar, Lead District Manager, said, “Usually, the bank staff is not deployed for the panchayat poll. This time, a large number of bank employees have been asked to perform election duty. I have taken up the matter with the district authorities and some employees have been exempted.”

SDM Kanwarjit Singh Mann said during randomisation, several employees were selected for poll duty. He said some staffers were being exempted for smooth functioning of banks.