The Punjab National Bank Officers’ Association (PNBOA), Uttar Pradesh, has raised concerns over the opening of Punjab National Bank branches and offices on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The association sent a representation to the Circle Heads and Zonal Heads of Punjab National Bank on September 25, 2026, referring to the Head Office notice dated September 24, 2026, which directed branches and offices to remain operational on Sunday in view of the proposed nationwide bank strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026.
The association pointed out that the Head Office notice itself states that all applicable provisions of the Shops and Establishments Act and other statutory requirements must be strictly followed. Based on this, PNBOA Uttar Pradesh has asked the management to ensure that all necessary legal and service-related requirements are clarified and communicated before officers and employees are deployed for Sunday duty.
PNBOA has first sought clarity on the statutory basis for opening branches and offices on Sunday. It has requested that the specific legal provision, exemption, permission or other legal authority under which the branches are being operated on Sunday should be clearly identified and kept on record.
The association has also asked the management to provide details regarding communication with local authorities. It said that since the Head Office notice requires local authorities to be informed in advance, copies of communications sent to the concerned Labour, Shops and Establishments or other local authorities, along with their acknowledgements, should be made available to the concerned Circle or Branch.
Regarding Uttar Pradesh, the association has asked the management to clarify the applicability of the U.P. Dookan Aur Vanijya Adhishthan Adhiniyam, 1962, including the exemption applicable to commercial banks. It referred to the existing state notification dated December 15, 1982, and said that the exact statutory position regarding Sunday working should be recorded clearly instead of leaving the matter to individual branches.
PNBOA has also raised the issue of duty rosters. According to the representation, no officer or employee should be called for Sunday duty without a properly authorised duty roster and clear instructions about the duration and nature of the duty. The association has further asked that applicable limits on working hours and overtime should be strictly followed.
Another issue raised by the association is the weekly off and compensatory arrangement for employees working on Sunday. PNBOA has asked the management to clarify the applicable provision, settlement or service rule governing the weekly off and compensatory arrangement for officers and employees deployed for Sunday duty.
The association has also requested that officers and employees should not face coercive action merely for raising genuine questions about statutory compliance, duty rosters, working hours, weekly offs or other applicable service conditions. PNBOA said that it is committed to maintaining banking services and customer convenience while also ensuring that statutory provisions and legitimate service rights of officers and employees are protected.
PNBOA Uttar Pradesh has requested that the relevant statutory compliance documents and clarifications be circulated to the concerned offices before Sunday operations begin on September 27, 2026. It has also asked that its representation be treated as a formal record of the association’s concerns regarding compliance with applicable statutory and service provisions.
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