'Merger of nationalised banks is detrimental to banking system'

United Forum of Bank Unions stages protest in Mangaluru

Vartha Bharati | 09-10-2018 | 20:50:00 IST

Mangaluru, October 09: "Banks will have losses with the merger of nationalised banks. There is no proof that the merger of nationalised banks will strengthen the banking sector", said United Forum of Bank Unions district convener Vincent D'Souza.

Addressing a protest organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions in front of Canara Bank circle office at Balmatta in the city on Tuesday, he said that for the first time, among nationalised banks, five SBI group banks were merged. But in its 200 years of history, the State Bank of India had incurred loss for the first time. Now, the central government has planned to merge the Vijaya Bank, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank which are in profitable mode and the bank employees would strongly condemn the decision, he said.

Why no action against Mallya, Nirav Modi and others?

Businessmen like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and others, owners of Vinsam Diamond, Videocon and other companies had caused loss worth thousands of crores to the banks as they had failed to repay their loans. The government should take suitable action to recover the loan. The NPA percentage has been increasing in banks. Instead of taking action to reduce the NPA level, the central government has planned to merge the nationalised banks which is detrimental to the banking sector. The employees would continue their protest against such kind of merger, Vincent said.

Union leader Eknath Baliga and representatives of various other bank employees associations participated in the protest.

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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options

13-04-2026 ¦ 13-04-2026 IST

Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.

The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."

The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.

Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.

According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.

It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.

If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.

In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.

It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.

The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.

It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.

“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.