The Co-operative Bank Employees Federation, State of Punjab (Regd.), has announced an indefinite strike starting from 28 July 2026. The federation has also called for a Maha Rally on 29 July 2026 in front of the office of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies (RCS), Chandigarh. The decision has been taken after the federation alleged that the Punjab Government and bank management did not respond to its repeated objections and long-pending demands.
Why Has the Federation Announced the Strike?
According to the federation, the main reason behind the strike is the proposed absorption of employees of Primary Agricultural Development Banks (PADBs) and Service Area Development Banks (SADBs) into the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) and The Punjab State Cooperative Bank Ltd. (PSCB).
The federation said it had earlier issued warning letters on 4 February 2026, 1 June 2026 and 3 July 2026, requesting the government and management to reconsider the proposal. However, it claims that despite these warnings, the authorities have decided to move ahead with the absorption process.
The federation has strongly opposed this proposal, saying it is not in the interest of the Cooperative Banking sector.
Federation Raises Financial and Administrative Concerns
The federation stated that Cooperative Banks are already facing financial challenges and are not in a position to bear the additional burden that would arise from absorbing PADB and SADB employees.
It said the proposal would increase expenditure due to higher salaries, pension liabilities and other financial commitments. Besides financial concerns, the federation also highlighted several unresolved legal, administrative and service-related issues, including recruitment rules, seniority, promotional avenues, service conditions and statutory compliance.
According to the federation, these important issues have been ignored by the authorities.
Indefinite Strike from 28 July 2026
The federation has officially announced that all employees of the District Central Cooperative Banks in Punjab and The Punjab State Cooperative Bank Ltd., Chandigarh, will go on an indefinite strike from Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
The federation has also clarified that the strike will continue until the Punjab Government completely withdraws the proposal to absorb PADB and SADB employees into DCCBs and PSCB.
Maha Rally on 29 July 2026
Along with the strike, the federation has announced a Maha Rally on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
Employees from Cooperative Banks across Punjab and Chandigarh are expected to gather in front of the office of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies (RCS), Chandigarh, to register their protest against the proposed absorption of PADB and SADB employees.
Other Long-Pending Demands of the Federation
Apart from opposing the absorption proposal, the federation has also highlighted several other pending demands that, according to it, have remained unresolved despite repeated representations.
These demands include:
- Removal of the Operating Profit condition for extending the benefits of the 6th Pay Commission to Cooperative Bank employees.
- Rectification of pay fixation anomalies arising from the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission, including salary-related issues of employees recruited after 17 July 2020.
- Release of three months’ salary arrears for employees recruited during 2011 in the District Central Cooperative Banks of Bathinda and Ropar.
- Immediate promotion of all eligible cadres, as promotions have reportedly been delayed for several months without any valid reason.
The federation stated that the delay in promotions has negatively affected the morale and career growth of employees.
Federation Says No Option Left but to Intensify Protest
The federation said that because no positive action has been taken on its earlier representations and long-pending demands, it has been left with no option but to intensify its democratic agitation.
It believes that the proposed absorption, along with the failure to resolve other employee issues, could adversely affect the Cooperative Banking sector in Punjab.
Copies of the Notice Sent to Senior Authorities
The federation has also sent copies of the strike notice to several senior authorities, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Chief Secretary of Punjab, the Finance Commissioner (Cooperation), the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (Punjab), the Regional Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Chandigarh, and the Chief General Manager of NABARD, Punjab Regional Office.
