Fire breaks out at Bank Of India(BOI) Office, brought under control

 

A major fire broke out on the sixth floor of the Bank of India building at Pune’s Shagun Chowk on Monday morning, damaging office equipment, electrical wiring and other material. No one was injured in the incident, fire brigade officials said.

The Pune Fire Brigade control room received a call about the fire at around 10.11 am, following which seven fire tenders and three water tankers were rushed to the spot from the Central, Kasba, Erandwane, Naidu and Kondhwa fire stations.

Fire brigade personnel found that the fire had broken out in an approximately 80-by-80-foot hall on the sixth floor of the RCC building located on the busy Laxmi Road. The building had been evacuated immediately after the fire was detected.

The hall had been divided into four offices using plywood partitions. A battery backup room was also located in the premises. According to the Fire Brigade, computers, tables, chairs, air-conditioners, electrical wiring, batteries, printers, photocopying machines and other office material were extensively damaged in the fire.

The firefighters assessed the risk posed by the fire, particularly given the busy location and the presence of adjoining buildings. They used hose lines, breathing apparatus, ropes, and exhaust blowers to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts and floors of the building or neighbouring structures.

It took the fire brigade nearly an hour to bring the fire under control. According to security personnel present at the building, the fire broke out in an air-conditioner in an office on the sixth floor. A security guard initially tried to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher. However, after realising that the fire could not be brought under control, the fire brigade was alerted.

The fire brigade said there was no permanent fire-fighting installation at the premises. However, fire extinguishers, a fire alarm system and a detection system were found at the site. Personnel from the Pune Municipal Corporation’s disaster management and building departments, police and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited were also present at the site.

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UFBU STRIKE DEFERRED — UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED - A FORWARD MOVEMENT ON FIVE-DAY BANKING, PLI AND RESIDUAL ISSUES

 

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5-Day Banking Update: IBA–UFBU Meeting Held on 27 September 2026; Proposed Strike Action Deferred

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) held a meeting on 27 September 2026 to discuss key issues concerning bank employees and officers, including the long-pending demand for 5-day banking, the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and other outstanding demands.

According to UFBU Circular No. 2026/32 dated 27 September 2026, the meeting concluded with decisions to initiate further discussions on the pending issues. In view of these developments, UFBU has agreed to defer its proposed agitation programmes and strike actions.

Key Outcomes of the IBA–UFBU Meeting

1. High-Level Committee on 5-Day Banking

The implementation of 5-day banking was a key issue raised by the UFBU leadership. The unions emphasised that their demands should be addressed on a priority basis, particularly the implementation of a five-day working week in banks.

It was decided that a high-level committee comprising representatives of IBA and UFBU would be formed immediately to deliberate on declaring the remaining Saturdays as holidays.

The committee will examine possible alternatives, consult all stakeholders and work towards a mutually acceptable solution, keeping customers’ interests in view.

2. Discussions on the PLI Scheme

The meeting also discussed the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme applicable to Scale IV and above officers.

It was agreed that discussions could begin with IBA to propose modifications to the Government in the existing scheme, taking into account the observations and concerns raised by the unions and associations.

3. Resolution of Other Pending Issues

The meeting further agreed that the residual issues listed in the minutes dated 8 March 2024 would be discussed between the parties for an expedited resolution.

Both sides acknowledged the contribution of bank employees and officers to the growth of public sector banks and the wider banking industry.

4. Proposed Strike and Agitation Deferred

In view of the decisions taken during the meeting and the proposed discussions on outstanding demands, UFBU has agreed to defer the proposed agitation programmes and strike actions.

The development indicates that further dialogue between IBA and UFBU will take place to resolve the pending issues.

Who Attended the Meeting?

The IBA Negotiating Committee was represented by its Chairman, Shri Rajneesh Karnatak, MD & CEO of Bank of India, along with other senior representatives from Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank and State Bank of India.

UFBU was represented by leaders from its constituent organisations, including AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBOC and INBEF.

What Does This Mean for Bank Employees?

The formation of a high-level committee on 5-day banking is an important development in the ongoing discussions between IBA and UFBU. However, the final implementation of 5-day banking has not yet been announced.

Bank employees and officers will be looking forward to the committee’s discussions and a concrete decision on the remaining Saturdays as holidays.

The outcome of the upcoming discussions will be significant for employees, customers and the banking sector as a whole.

The IBA–UFBU meeting has opened the way for further negotiations on 5-day banking, PLI reforms and other pending demands. UFBU has deferred the proposed strike action, and employees will now await the outcome of the discussions and the next steps towards implementation of 5-day banking.

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Government never agreed to 5-day work week for banks, facts being twisted: Official sources

A finance ministry official stated prior to the United Forum of Bank Unions' (UFBU) three-day strike scheduled for September 28–30 that the government never agreed to a five-day workweek for banks because this crucial demand has not been fulfilled.

"During the most recent pay discussions, the five-day workweek was never agreed upon. It was never used as a bargaining chip. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "They (bank unions) are distorting the facts."

In a letter dated September 22, the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation said there had been no response to this demand “which was agreed and signed in March, 2024 under the last wage revision settlement”. The letter added that officials from the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) had informed union representatives that the issue of five-days banking is “under consideration by the Government”.

Currently, bank branches are open on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of every month.

IBA has accordingly recommended to the Government. The due changes in the working hours, will be effective after approval by the Government of India and necessary clearances from Government / Reserve Bank of India,” the Settlement said.

However, the finance ministry official asserted the government had not agreed to a five-day work week, although a lot of other concessions were made.

“The IBA didn’t want to go beyond an 11% hike in the wage negotiations, but the government intervened and a hike of 17% was announced. Even on the issue of family pension, the IBA was not keen but the government said that post-retirement, they will be on the other side, and they should not fight it,” the source said, adding that the performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme had been kept on hold for the current financial year following opposition.

Announced in November 2024, the PLI scheme for public sector banks’ employees faced intense pushback and was called “discriminatory” because it was only for Scale 4 officers and above. According to bank unions, the scheme is divisive, demotivating, and distortionary.

With the three-day strike that begins on Monday in mind, the government on Wednesday said public sector banks and regional rural banks will function as normal on September 27, Sunday. The decision, the Ministry of Finance said, was being taken to ensure “genuine banking needs” of the public are not hindered for an extended period.

With September 26 being a non-working Saturday for banks, the three-day strike would have led to banks being shut for five days in a row.

The RBI has given its approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches, and currency chests to remain “fully operational” on Sunday, the finance ministry further said on Wednesday.

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This Bank announces compensation for employees working on Sunday

Compensation for workers on Sunday, September 27, 2026, has been announced by Union Bank of India. Due to the impending strike from September 28–30, 2026, Union Bank of India has instructed all branches to stay open on Sunday. 

According to Union Bank, all officials who are called to official work on Sunday, September 27, 2026, will be eligible for compensatory off-the-pocket expenses of Rs. 2000 due to the opening of branches and offices as described above. Compensatory off is the first of these two advantages, and out-of-pocket payments may be offered in extraordinary circumstances where compensatory leave is not practical due to public emergencies.

The Compensatory Off or Out of Pocket Expenses shall be provided only to Officers, who had worked minimum 6 hours on that particular day.

Further, Award Staff, who are working on 27.09.2026, will be eligible for payment of Overtime Allowance as per Bipartite Settlement

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RBI authorizes banks to open on Sunday

The Reserve Bank of India has authorized the opening of banks on Sunday, September 27, 2026. IBA had asked the RBI for approval to open banks on Sunday. RBI stated that you have our permission to maintain bank branches, offices, ATM link branches, and currency chests fully functioning on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in order to ensure that the public's legitimate banking needs are not negatively impacted for an extended duration. 

In this regard, the banks can be recommended to make sure that pertinent legal obligations are followed. The RBI has granted permission for bank employees to go on strike from September 28 to September 30, 2026. Since September 26 and 27 fall on the fourth Saturday and Sunday, respectively, banks will be closed.

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Latest Update on Bank Strike for 3-Day from September 28–30

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to proceed with its proposed three-day nationwide bank strike on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026, following a conciliation meeting convened by the Ministry of Labour on September 22.

The decision was communicated through UFBU Circular No. 2026/26 dated September 22, 2026, issued to all affiliated unions and members.

According to the UFBU circular, a conciliation meeting was conducted by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Dy. CLC), Ministry of Labour, Government of India, in New Delhi. Representatives of UFBU, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), Department of Financial Services (DFS), and bank managements participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, UFBU reiterated its demand for the implementation of 5-Day Banking, which, according to the union, was agreed upon and signed in March 2024 under the last wage revision settlement.

The IBA informed the meeting that the PLI scheme for Scale IV officers and above has been kept in abeyance as per Government instructions and that the matter would be discussed further at the bipartite level.

Regarding 5-Day Banking, IBA stated that the issue is currently under consideration by the Government and appealed to UFBU to reconsider and defer the strike.

Representatives of the DFS, Ministry of Finance, also stated that the Government is considering the 5-Day Banking issue and needs to take into account the views of various stakeholders before arriving at a decision. DFS therefore requested UFBU to defer the proposed strike and continue discussions.

UFBU stated that it had expressed its strong protest against what it described as measures by managements and other authorities intended to discourage employees and officers from participating in the strike.

The union also raised concerns regarding alleged pressure on Scale IV and above officers and Probationary Officers, stating that such measures should be avoided.

UFBU further informed the authorities that if there is any concrete and positive development towards implementation of 5-Day Banking, the federation would consider the same.

However, in the absence of such a development, UFBU stated that it would proceed with the proposed strike.

Following the conciliation meeting, UFBU has called upon all its affiliated unions and members to implement the three-day strike on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026.

The development keeps the possibility of disruption to banking services during the three-day period, although the impact on individual branches and banking services will depend on participation and applicable arrangements.

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Gold Loan Scam of more than one crore in Bank in Uttar Pradesh

At the Federal Bank's Rajnagar branch, fraudulent gold loans totaling around ₹1.46 crore have been discovered. The jewelry pledged in 20 loan accounts was found to be fraudulent during a bank inquiry. Rubik Fintech was used to refer 17 of these accounts. In every instance, the valuer is the same. Six people each borrowed gold from two accounts. The bank filed a report, and the Kavinagar police station has opened a case against 18 suspects.

Shazia Bano, the senior manager of the bank, has lodged a police report. Delhi Gate resident Deepanshu Bansal went to the Federal Bank branch in Rajnagar with an unidentified individual to obtain a gold loan by surrendering gold jewelry.

Harsh, a representative of Rubik Fintech, was with him. Gold loan appraiser Deepak Dhalla verified the item as authentic. But after reexamining the jewelry out of suspicion, bank authorities discovered it was a fake.

Bank employees attempted to stop the two men, but they fled. The bank reportedly has CCTV footage of the incident. Following this, the bank investigated other gold loan accounts.The investigation revealed that a member of Deepanshu Bansal’s family had previously taken a gold loan from the same branch. Subsequently, an investigation into the relevant accounts began. Investigations by bank officials and another independent appraiser revealed that the gold pledged in several accounts was fake.

The bank has alleged that Rubik Fintech executives Harsh and Anurag Singh sourced a large number of suspicious accounts. It also casts doubt on the role of Gold appraiser, Deepak Dhalla, who certified the jewellery as genuine.

The cases have been registered against Dipanshu Bansal, Mayur Bansal, Shahzad Khan, Siddharth Pandey, Alibin Hussain, Vikas, Kavita, Waseem Abbas, Ashwani, Mukul Kumar, Sahil Singh, Ankur Rajput, Dharamveer Ram, Mausim Khan, Kaifi Nauman, Harsh, Deepak Dhalla and Anurag Singh.

The bank’s complaint states that loans totaling ₹1.46 crore were disbursed to 20 accounts.

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Bank of India Jaipur Robbery: ₹42 Lakh Looted at Gunpoint Outside Branch

A robbery took place outside a Bank of India branch near Akshay Patra Chauraha in Jaipur, where two armed miscreants allegedly looted ₹42 lakh in cash from bank employees before fleeing on a motorcycle.

According to the newspaper report, the incident occurred on Monday morning, September 14, 2026, shortly after the bank reopened following a three-day holiday.

As per the report, two men arrived outside the Bank of India branch on a motorcycle. They allegedly pointed pistols at bank employees Cashier Meenakshi and employee Jyoti, who were carrying cash.

The miscreants reportedly snatched the bag containing the cash and escaped within around two minutes. The report states that the robbers had their faces covered and attempted to prevent anyone from stopping them.

The report states that the bank employees had withdrawn cash from a machine and were preparing to take it inside the branch. Around ₹42 lakh was reportedly taken during the incident.

The machine reportedly had a capacity to hold around ₹50 lakh in cash.

Police are examining CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas. According to the report, the suspects were seen near the bank at around 10:40 AM and allegedly carried out the robbery shortly afterward.

The footage reportedly shows the suspects fleeing on a motorcycle after the robbery. Police control room officials were informed at around 11:07 AM.

A significant development mentioned in the report is that one suspect, identified as Shankar, had allegedly been conducting reconnaissance around the bank for nearly three months.

Police are reportedly investigating whether he had previously worked as a daily-wage worker at the bank and was familiar with the movement of cash and the employees involved.

The investigation is underway, and police are examining CCTV footage from the bank and nearby locations to identify and trace the accused.

₹42 lakh was allegedly looted from Bank of India employees outside a Jaipur branch. Two armed suspects reportedly fled on a motorcycle as police investigate CCTV footage and a possible three-month reconnaissance operation.

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Bank of India(BOI) Branch Manager Accused of Demanding ₹2 Lakh for Subsidy, Customer Alleges Threats

A complaint has reportedly been filed against the Branch Manager of Bank of India’s Khujner Branch, Prashant Bikoniya, and his brother, alleging that a customer was asked to pay ₹2 lakh for the release of a subsidy amount.

According to the complaint filed by Keval Singh, a resident of Limboda village, the complainant alleged that ₹2 lakh was demanded from him in connection with the release of his subsidy. He further claimed that he was allegedly threatened that the subsidy would be allowed to lapse if the demanded amount was not paid.

The complaint also alleges that on the night of 25 August, the Branch Manager and some other persons allegedly reached the complainant’s residence and took him along with them. He has further alleged that his mobile phone was taken and checked and that he was taken in a car towards Chatukheda before being released later.

Following the incident, the complainant reportedly fell unwell and was taken to the Government Hospital, Khujner, where his blood pressure was recorded as 185/133 mmHg, according to the documents referred to in the complaint.

The complainant has sought an impartial investigation into the alleged incident, including the allegations of threats and being taken away, and has requested that his eligible subsidy amount be released as per applicable rules.

The allegations made in the complaint have not been independently verified at this stage. The response of Bank of India management and the police investigation will be important in establishing the facts of the matter.

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