Canara Bank Orders Staff to Work Even on Republic Day

Bank employees across India have announced an All India strike on 27 January 2026 to demand the implementation of 5-day banking. At the same time, Canara Bank’s Faridabad Regional Office has issued an order asking staff to work even on Republic Day (26 January 2026), which is a national holiday.

Employees are unhappy with this decision. They say it increases work pressure and goes against the demand for better work-life balance. Many employees also feel that asking staff to work on a national holiday, just a day before a nationwide strike, is unfair.

This order has added to the tension between bank management and employees ahead of the All India strike.

Canara Bank Regional Office, Faridabad, has directed branches to deploy staff on special duty during holidays and non-working days from January 24 to January 26, 2026, to reduce Agriculture (AGR) loans under Product Code 230. The instruction was issued by the Advance Section of the Regional Office and applies to all branches under the Faridabad region.

The move is part of a special campaign titled “Reduction of AGR Loans under Product Code 230”, which is being carried out from January 14 to January 31, 2026. The bank said the step is necessary to speed up conversion and renewal of eligible KCC accounts and to prevent loan accounts from turning into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).

Due to the short campaign period and urgency, branches have been instructed to ensure adequate staffing even on holidays.

The bank clarified that it is implementing RBI guidelines on Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and has introduced Product Code 880 for KCC Animal Husbandry and Fisheries schemes.

The renewal facility for KCCs under Product Code 230 has already been stopped. However, the bank has observed that many accounts under the old product code are still not converted or renewed, causing borrowers to lose interest subvention benefits.

The bank warned that a large number of such pending accounts could lead to regulatory and compliance issues and may also result in large-scale slippage into NPAs.

Tasks Assigned to Staff on Special Duty

Staff deployed on special duty have been instructed to focus on the following work:

• Identifying all AGR loan accounts under Product Code 230
• Converting or renewing eligible accounts under KCC Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Product Code 880)
• Completing documentation and system-related formalities without delay
• Contacting borrowers and informing them about:
  • Benefits of timely KCC renewal
  • Eligibility for interest subvention
  • Risks of non-renewal and possible NPA classification
  • Compliance with RBI, Head Office, and internal guidelines

Branch Managers to Monitor Daily Progress

Branch Managers have been asked to personally monitor progress on a daily basis. The bank has also instructed branches to maintain proper records of work done on holidays so that staff may be given compensatory off, as per Circular No. 663/2020 dated September 4, 2020.

Instructions Marked as Urgent

The Regional Office has termed the instructions as “most urgent” and directed branches to follow them in letter and spirit to improve asset quality and complete the campaign within the given timeline. Branches have also been asked to acknowledge receipt of the circular and ensure strict compliance.