New Delhi: Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman Union Finance Minister has assured that all private banks will not be privatize and where ever it happens, the interest of the employees will be protected. Finance Minister speaking to the media persons on Tuesday that amid a two day nation-wide bank strike called by nine unions against the proposed privatization, she said.

In her address to the media, she said that “the decision of Privatization is a well thought out decision. We want Banks to get more equity… We want banks to meet the aspirations of the country”. She also said “Those banks which are likely to get privatized, the interest of every staff member will be protected. Interest of existing employees will be protected at all cost.”

“Public sector enterprise policy very clearly says that we will continue with PSBs. Interests of the workers will absolutely be protected,” she said. Banks across the country were shut on Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday, key banking operations across the country were hit by the strike, in which as many as 10 lakh bank employees are expected to participate.

The strike was triggered by the government’s plan to privatise two public sector banks as part of its ambitious disinvestment drive to generate ₹ 1.75 lakh crore. The minister had also announced a deadline for the overall dis-investment project — completion of the Financial Year of 2022.

She said in her speech, she took on Congress former chief Rahul Gandhi’s tweet, which has criticism the government. Rahul in his tweet said “Government of India is privatising profit & nationalising loss. Selling PSBs to Modicronies gravely compromises India’s financial security. I stand in solidarity with the striking bank employees.”

The minister also said “Rahul Gandhi has probably outsourced his comments to outsiders. These two liners do not help. I would want him in engage in serious discussion… Rahul Gandhi should think, do homework first and then level allegations against us.”