The employees and officers of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) struck work today as part of the all-India general strike.

The strike call was given by All India Nabard Employees’ Association (AINBEA) and All India Nabard Officers’ Association (AINBOA).

Main demands of strikers included retention of Nabard status as a development financial institution as also its link with the Reserve Bank of India.

Funds must be provided at concessionary rates by the Centre and the RBI to enable Nabard o extend refinance assistance to farm sector at low interest rates.

Taxation of Nabard must be stopped and instead a separate fund created to channel credit to small and marginal farmers.

The strikers also warned the Centre against diluting the mandate of Nabard by diverting funds to corporate houses.

Along with these, the Nabard staff also supported the common demands put forward by the 11 central trade unions for the twin-day strike.

They conducted demonstrations in front of all respective offices across the country.

Jose T. Abraham, president, AINBEA and S.D. Singh, secretary of the local unit of AINBOA, addressed the striking staff in front of the Nabard office in Thiruvananthapuram.

vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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