The Finance Ministry on Friday advised state governments to vaccinate banks and insurance companies employees on priority. Department of Financial Services Secretary Debasish Panda addressed chief secretaries of states and union territories in a letter asking them to consider a special dispensation for vaccination of bank and insurance companies staff, business correspondents, payment systems and other financial services providers on priority. The ministry stated that they are exposed to high risks amid the pandemic.
"All state/UT governments are requested to instruct local authorities to provide them necessary help and support in ensuring delivery of banking and financial services. Vaccinating them on priority will mitigate their high exposure to risk in delivery of public service," Debashish said.
"Likewise, banks' offices and its branches have occasionally been ordered to shut down by state authorities even during permitted banking hours, accompanied by threats. While bank employees are already braving risks to their health and need to be assured about their safety" he said.
He asked the chief secretaries to instruct district administration and local authorities to cooperate with bank and financial services employees, provide adequate security to them and not impede their functioning or movement.
C. H. Vekatachlam, All India Bank Employees Association general secretary was welcoming the move and said priority vaccination is very important.
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