The Punjab government on Sunday announced that all the banks would remain open on March 30 and 31 in a bid to facilitate people in completing their financial transactions, amid the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
Based on orders of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the state home department has issued an advisory pertaining to the operation of bank branches during curfew on 30th and 31st March, 2020, and beyond, said a government release.
From April 3 onwards, all bank branches will remain open for two consecutive days of the week, on a rotation basis, it said.
The deputy commissioners (DCs) of the state have been directed to extend the necessary support and ensure other requisite items in between the relaxation to the banking staff, the release said.
As per the advisory, it has been decided that all the bank branches, ATMs, banking correspondents (BCs), cash in transit and cash replenishment agencies, IT and engineering support vendors for banks will be operational on March 30 and 31.
Hence, all the deputy commissioners have been asked to offer necessary support by means of issuance of passes and other requisite relaxation, it said.
On March 31, a special clearing of all government cheques will be done.
Though April 1 is a non-public dealing day for the lenders, the DCs have been directed to provide requisite passes to the bank staff on that day too, the release said.
From April 3 onwards, the operation of bank branches, ATMs, BCs, cash in transit/cash replenishment agencies, IT and engineering support vendors for banks shall be operated, with less staff, it further said.
The banks would be ensuring that the ATMs are operational 24×7 and BCs provide services in rural areas with the security staff, and are directed to maintain social distancing and hygiene.
