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Informist, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday termed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's statement on public sector banks as "baseless". The finance minister said, "The public sector banks have seen a remarkable turnaround under Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

 

The finance minister's retort comes after Gandhi met a delegation from the All India Bank Officers' Confederation and expressed distress at the condition of public sector banks and its impact on common people. "The Modi government has turned these lifelines of the masses into private financiers for only the rich and powerful corporations," he said in a post on X.

 

She criticised Gandhi saying that during the Congress-led government, the banks were treated as "ATMs" for their cronies and shady businessmen. "It was actually during the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) regime when bank employees were harassed and forced to give loans to cronies through 'phone banking' by the then Congress-led UPA Govt functionaries," Sitharaman said on X.

 

On Gandhi’s remark that women employees were not given equal opportunities, Sitharaman said women are excelling as managing directors, chief executive officers, and leaders in the sector. "Rahul Gandhi's misrepresentation of facts is an insult to the hardworking PSB employees and to the citizens who benefit from a cleaner, stronger banking system. It's high time the Congress up-skills the leader of Opposition's understanding of governance," the finance minister said.

 

Gandhi alleged that public sector banks are being forced to prioritise profit over people and are unable to serve the public effectively. "With staff shortages and a toxic work environment, they are expected to reach unachievable targets without a level playing field. Women employees are not given equal opportunity or advancement and forced to bear the brunt of a dissatisfied public," Gandhi said.  End

 

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

 

 

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