Mangaluru: City-based advocate Dinesh Hegde Ulepady has urged the Union Government to withdraw its decision to merge the Corporation and Syndicate banks with other banks, claiming that it would hamper the economy of the Dakshina Kannada district.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, December 16, Ulepady said, “The Union Government has decided to merge the Corporation Bank with Union Bank, which has its head office in Mumbai, and Syndicate Bank with the Canara Bank, which has its head office in Bengaluru. The Corporation Bank was established in the year 1906 and has already completed its centenary celebration. As the Corporation Bank has its head office in Mangaluru, it is not only the city’s pride, but also that of the entire coastal region. If the Corporation Bank is merged with Union Bank, we will lose our prestigious status. Both the Corporation and Syndicate banks have brought us immense pride and reputation and are not ready to lose them to the hasty decision of the Central Government.”
Speaking about the Vijaya Bank merger, he said that even after it was merged with Bank of Baroda, there has been no sign of improvement. “Besides that, the government is planning to shut down several branches of the Vijaya Bank under the pretext of preventing loss. Over 2000 branches of State Bank of India (SBI) have been shut down after it was merged with several other banks. It is very sad that the banks which are forced to shut down are located in the rural regions. If the government goes ahead with its decision to merge the Corporation Bank and Syndicate Bank with other banks, it will adversely affect the economy of the Dakshina Kannada district,” he said.
Ulepady also warned that a severe protest would be staged if the Union Government continues with its decision. “Both MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Shobha Karandlaje should intervene and convince the Union Government to withdraw it merger decision,” he added.
Corporation Bank Officers’ Organisation (CBOO) former president T R Bhat, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) state president Muneer Katipalla, Kannada Sahitya Parishat district president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, former state president Harikrishna Punaroor and others were present.
