The decision to close down the AB Block branch of Bank of Baroda (BoB) has been deferred after customers and union members demonstrated outside the bank on April 30.
The AB 2 plot, on the First Avenue, was for years used by Dena Bank but after its merger with Bank of Baroda in 2019, it has continued as BoB. But customers were taken aback on April 28, when they saw a notice in the newspaper announcing that the branch was closing down. It said the branch was being merged with the one in BJ 91 with effect from May 30. Clients were advised to remove fragile items from their lockers to prevent damage during the shift.
“They cannot take such a major decision without prior notice,” said Asish Dasgupta, an elderly customer from AC Block. “This branch has many customers who are senior citizens for whom it will not be possible to trek all the way to BJ Block to avail of services. And it’s difficult to get new lockers now even at other banks.”
Dasgupta, who happens to be a retired employee of this very nationalised bank, then formed a WhatsApp group of customers and 50 to 60 of them gathered at the branch on April 30. They were also joined by members of the Bank Employees Federation of India and All India Bank Employees Association. They arranged for mics, over which they voiced their concerns for over two hours before being informed that the branch’s closure was being deferred.
“It’s true that this branch is in a residential area and that we have many elderly customers here. They forwarded their issues and the higher authorities have decided that for the time being, the merger is being deferred,” said regional manager Surendra Gond.