Employees of Sangli oppose merger with ICICI

Mumbai, Jan10 (UNI) Employees and officers of the Sangli Bank today observed a one-day token strike on the call given by the All India Employees' Association (AIBEA) and All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) as warning against the proposed sale of the bank to ICICI Bank Ltd.

A federation release issued today said that all branches as well as head office of ''The Sangli Bank Ltd'' situated in Sangli, the sugar belt of Western Maharashtra observed a day-long strike in protest against the proposed sale of the 90-year-old bank to ICICI Bank.

The Employees and officers are opposing the merger with ICICI Bank and are demanding merger with any of the Public Sector Bank.

In addition, a probe into the malpractices by the directors of the Board of the Snagli Bank Ltd from early 90's has been initiated.

The employees of Sangli bank have also demanded an in depth inquiry into the affairs of the ICICI Bank in view of its alleged involvement in IPO scam.

The striking employees and officers held rallies at the Head Office in Sangli.

In Mumbai, S D Dhopeshwarkar, General Secretary, Maharashtra State Bank Employees Federation (MSBEF) along with S Nagarajan, Deputy General Secretary of AIBOA addressed the rally.

The striking employees of Sangli Bank will organise strikes on the 15th and 16th of this month to press their demands, which will coincide with the General Body Meeting of the share holders to consider the proposal of the merger of the Sangli bank with ICICI Bank Ltd, added the release.

UNI