Mumbai: Bank reopens at Sportsfield

At the Punjab National Bank in Sportsfield building yesterday, where some of the biggest names from India's sporting arena live, business was on in full swing. This was a complete contrast from two weeks back when the bank was sealed, and employees were sitting outside with bank account holders, many of whom had to go back or to the Worli Naka branch to get work done.

Also read: Worli society with top sportspersons stumped by Rs 2-crore notice

The Punjab National Bank at Sportsfield is working now. The collector is in talks with the building committee and the bank. Pic/Sneha Kharabe

The Collector had sealed the premises of the Punjab National Bank on the ground floor of the building because the housing society had apparently not paid the additional lease rent for around 30 years. The society was slapped with a notice to pay up Rs 2 crore in unpaid dues.

mid-day's report when the bank was sealed

Bank employees were tightlipped about the issue. "We have paid a sum of Rs 50 lakh and sorted the issue for the time being. We could not afford to keep this branch shut as we have many accounts and clients here. Talks are on between us, the Collector's office, Mantralaya, and the Sportsfield society members," said a bank employee.

Collector of Mumbai city Ashwini Joshi said, "We are in talks with the building committee and the bank. The issue is being dealt with."

Ramona Mishra, a businesswoman who was at the bank, said, "I am really happy that I don't have to go to Worli Naka. My locker was not accessible when the bank was closed. Thankfully now all is well. The bank employees also had a harrowing time. But now everything seems sorted."

Wanda D'souza from Worli gaothan, who has a pension account in the bank, said, "This bank is well located and my family has all accounts here. I did not get my pension for two weeks and had to borrow money from my children for my medicines. Going to Worli Naka was inconvenient. They said it would open in a few days but it ended up taking weeks. I am relieved that it is open now, so I have come to collect my pension."

Sportsfield building residents are relieved that they do not have to pay the amount and the bank is dealing with the sum. S Solkar, secretary of Sportsfield and wife of late cricketer Eknath Solkar, said, "We had paid Rs 17 lakh a month ago which we collected from members. Talks are on between the bank, Mantralaya and us. Hopefully it will be solved soon."

Sportsfield resident and former cricketer Yajurvindra Singh said, "The bank opened last week. More than others, we are happy that the bank is working again as many of our building members have accounts here. We are all retired people and paying Rs 1.9 crore is tough for us."