Bank Employees Federation, West Bengal, the state unit of the Bank Employees Federation of India (Befi), organised a press conference on Monday to protest against the showcause notices issued by the Indian Bank against Befi leaders.

Befi West Bengal chapter president Samir Ghosh said the Verma Committee, working on three sick public sector banks - United Bank of India, Uco Bank and Indian Bank - may consider drastic steps including manpower reduction in Indian Bank.

"The Verma Committee, earlier scheduled to place the recommendation by June 30, may do so by the end of July. We are apprehending that Indian Bank will get a raw deal. The committee may suggest a massive manpower reduction through voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), closure of branches and reduction in theactivities of the bank," Ghosh said.

The Indian Bank management had issued showcause notices to Tapan Das and K Krishnan of Indian Bank Employees Federation. While Das is an office bearer of the West Bengal unit of Befi, Krishnan is joint secretary. On the showcause notices, Ghosh said the management's action is unprecendented in the industrial relations scenario of the banking sector.