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BANK-O-VOICE A monthly bulletin of SBIOA, Jaipur Circle

July, 2019

SBI OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION, JAIPUR CIRCLE

For Internal Circulation only

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The Office Bearers of Four Officer’s Organisation submitting Memorandum to

IBA Chairman Sh. Sunil Mehta

Camp: New Delhi Date: 03.07.2019

Meeting with IBA Chairman at New Delhi

The principal office bearers of four organisations, as decided earlier at Bangalore on 25/06/2019, today met Shri Sunil Mehta, Chairman IBA and MD & CEO Punjab National Bank. 2. On behalf of the four organisations we have explained our candid viewpoints on the contentious issue of mandate, which has stonewalled forward movement of wage talks of the total workforce in the banking industry. 3. In response to our presentation, Chairman IBA, assured the delegation that required steps will be initiated to resolve the impasse. We shall keep the units informed about developments. The joint representation/memorandum addressed to Chairman IBA is appended.

Yours sincerely,

Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-

(Soumya Datta) General Secretary

AIBOC

(Nagarajan S) General Secretary

AIBOA

(K K Nair) General Secretary

INBOC

(Viraj Tikekar) General Secretary

NOBO

3 State Bank of India Officer’s Association, Jaipur Circle July, 2019

Text of Joint Representation/Memorandum Dated 03.07.2019

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ CONFEDERATION (AIBOC)

ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (AIBOA) INDIAN NATIONAL BANK OFFICERS’ CONGRESS (INBOC) NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BANK OFFICERS (NOBO)

Camp: New Delhi

Date: 03.07.2019 The Chairman Indian Banks‟ Association New Delhi Dear Sir, REG: 8th JOINT NOTE-WAGE REVISION- UNCONDITIONAL MANDATE BY BANKS. REF: OUR JOINT COMMUNICATION DATED 25TH JUNE, 2019. Further to the above referred communication coupled with the earlier one by UFBU, we are yet to get the response from IBA. We sincerely feel that there is an imperative need to revisit the decision based on the following convincing reasons. 1. The officers' Service Regulations 1979 applicable to Public Sector Banks are governed by the Banking Regulation Act, 1970/ 1980 and the State Bank of India Act, 1955. Any change in the terms of service condition should have the concurrence of Central Government through official Gazette notification and also of Reserve Bank of India. 2. The Standardization of Pay and allowances have come to stay based on the Pillai Committee recommendations in Public Sector Banks from 01/07/1979, 1980 and in State Bank of India w.e.f. 01/10/1979. 3. All the seven joint notes on wage revision right from 1985 till 2015 covered all seven scales of officers in Public Sector Banks. 4. The Successive Pay Commissions for Central Government employees covers right from Sub-ordinate cadre and up to Cabinet Secretary. 5. The CLC (Central), in the proceedings held on 28th May, 2018 in which IBA representatives too participated, advised to continue with the past practices of covering all seven scales while finalising the wage revision. 6. Subsequent to the meeting on 28th May, 2018, IBA did inform the six banks namely State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce to revisit their decision on truncated mandates


given by them to IBA for wage revision. Oriental Bank of Commerce did give the revised mandate to cover all the officers up to Scale VII. 7. In the past two joint notes, officers' organisations had shown flexibility to elongate the scale from Scale IV up to Scale VII and also differential Special Allowances to Scale IV & V and Scale VI and VII. 8. When the Officers‟ Code of Conduct and Discipline and Appeal Regulations are common from 1976, how come a new theory is promoted by 5 banks? 9. Out of 19 banks, 14 banks have given full mandate, leaving the five. Will the decision of minority prevail over the majority? How will IBA fulfill the mandate of 14 banks as they have no plan to draw different scale of their own for officers of Scale IV and above? The officers‟ fraternity is getting frustrated and impatient for the undue delay in wage settlement due to the obstinate stand of the management of few banks. They are becoming restless and want to express their anguish through the platform of officers‟ organisations. We, therefore, in the best of interest of the Industry and its present performance in trying circumstances urge upon you to resolve the much vexed question of fractured mandate by these 5 banks so as to take forward the wage negotiations to a faster mode and not force us to take the path of agitation.

Yours sincerely, Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- (Soumya Datta) (Nagarajan S) (K K Nair) (Viraj Tikekar) General Secretary AIBOC

General Secretary AIBOA

General Secretary INBOC

General Secretary NOBO


“eAB Merger issue” The Committee members meet

Advocate at Hyderabad on 28th June 2019

Friends, *eAB merger issues - Writ filed before Hon High Court of Hyderabad* As you are aware, a writ has been filed before Hon'ble High Court,Hyderabad, seeking at par benefits to eABs Officers. Federation has filed the case on behalf of eAB Officers, and has constituted a Committee to monitor the issue. Federation is also pursuing the matter closely. The Monitoring Committee met the Advocate on 28th June 2019 at Hyderabad and discussed the issue thread bear, and sought early hearing of the case. The advocate informed that various cases are under the process of bifurcation between Hyderabad and Telangana Courts which is said to be the reason for delay in coming up for hearing. Pending bifurcation of various cases only those cases where immediate judgments are being heard. Advocate assured that he is trying his best for early listing, once the bifurcation is complete. Friends, our Writ are well substantiated and hopeful of a favorable disposal, though may take bit of time. The Federation and Committee members are in constant touch with the Advocate and will meet them often. The member‟s will be updated as as and when development occurs. With revolutionary greetings, Vinay Bhalla, G R Jaikrishnan, V N Nagesh, Rajeev Sarhindi & V Subramanian

*Monitoring Committee*


GLIMPSES OF CNC MEETING AT CORPORATE CENTRE MUMBAI ON 18TH JUNE 2019


GLIMPSES OF FAREWELL FUNCTION

OF SH.VIJUY RONJAN CGM AT LHO JAIPUR ON HIS

TRANSFER FROM JAIPUR CIRCLE


GLIMPSES OF PRESIDENT AND GENERAL SECRETARY

MEETING AT TRIVENDRUM


GLIMPSES OF WELCOMING THE NEW CMC

AT JAIPUR CIRCLE


AIBOC COMMUNICATION TO MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

Memorandum submitted to Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance

A delegation of AIBOC leadership comprising of Comrade Debasis Ghosh, President, Comrade Ravinder Gupta, Sr. Vice President, Comrade Deepak Kumar Sharma, Vice President and the undersigned met Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon‟ble Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India at his official residence at 14, Janpath, New Delhi on 26th June 2019 and handed over a memorandum to him. Hon‟ble Minister gave the delegation a very patient hearing and assured to address each and every issue mentioned therein. Text of the memorandum is appended. With greetings, Sd/- (Soumya Datta) General Secretary

Text of letter no. AIBOC/2019/58

dated 26.06.2019 Shri Anurag Singh Thakur ji, The Hon‟ble Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Government of India North Block New Delhi - 110001

Respected Sir, Few issues confronted by the bankers At the outset, we, the largest association of officers in the banking industry representing more than 3,20,000 officers, congratulate you on your being elected as the Member of Parliament for the third successive term and also being chosen as the Minister of Finance for State in the NDA-II Government led by Shri Narendra Modi ji. We are sure that with your vast experience in Lok Sabha and various public positions assumed by you in the past more than a decade, would immensely help in building up a strong and pro-people Finance Ministry of the Union Government. 2. Our members have been playing active role and responsibility, right from framing the policy, till its implementation in Banks. Aims and objectives of banks, especially Public Sector Banks, are entwined with the constitutional objectives and the pleasure of the government of the country. Contribution of the public sector banks and old generation private sector banks towards nation building is immense and noteworthy. Bankers


have been drivers of growth for decades. Nationalization of Banks in 1969 gave new dimension to the banking in the country. Banks became extended arms of the Government, implemented wholeheartedly, various pro-society programmes such as village adoption, irrigation, dispensation of credit for agriculture and small business, realized the objectives of Government in successful completion of green, white, blue revolutions. Rural and semi urban economy underwent unimaginable change on account of programmes like Service Area Approach which resulted in comprehensive development and infused purchasing power. Banks realized dream projects of Government – Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) affordable insurance scheme, Aadhar linking, DBT and Demonetisation/Remonetisation of economy. Banks today, have touched nook and corner of the country, thereby achieving the pursuit of financial inclusion. 3. While wishing you a great success in all your endeavours as a Union Minister of State for Finance, we take this opportunity to place before few issues pending and invoke your immediate attention.

a. Salary revision: Salary revision is carried out in Banks through a mechanism of bi-partite negotiations

between IBA (an association of managements of banks) with us, the trade unions (represented by UFBU). Member banks of IBA formally give a mandate to IBA to negotiate on behalf of them. Though the salary revision has fallen due for revision from 01.11.17, no meaningful dialogue has taken place till date. There have been few issues which have become impediments in the negotiations. They are: i. Fractured mandate: So far, member banks were giving mandate to IBA for salary negotiation up to General Manager cadre (from Scale I to Scale VII – Scale VII being General Managers), as they are subjected same sets of service rules. A few banks have given mandate to IBA to negotiate only up to MMGS III, thus leaving officers in Senior Management in Grades IV, V, VI and VII in no-man‟s land. On the contrary, it may kindly be observed that Central Pay Commission is applicable to all section of Government employees, from messenger to the Cabinet Secretary. Despite our repeated requests, discussions and agitations, neither


Government nor banks nor IBA have taken any initiative to get the mandate from 5 banks which are yet to give full mandate. This fractured mandate has become stumbling block in negotiation. As a majority organisation representing the entire bank officers‟ fraternity irrespective of scale, we are not in a position to initiate wage negotiation talks only for officers upto Scale-III – particularly when majority of the state sector Banks (15 out of 20) have conveyed their full and unconditional mandate to IBA for wage negotiation for all Bank officers up to Scale-VII (i.e. General Manager) cadre. Banks which are yet to give full mandate to IBA are: State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India and Indian Bank. We request you to please issue suitable instruction to them to mandate IBA immediately, paving way for meaningful negotiation. ii. Charter of Demands and the parity of salary vis-à-vis Central Government officers: Salary of officers of the banks was higher than that of the IAS officers till 1979. In the name of parity,

the salaries of bank officers were capped and clipped. Later, Government has been revising the salaries of IAS officers, through CPCs; but not the salaries of bank officers with the same parity. The gap has been widening with each pay revision. Now the starting Basic Pay of a Scale I officer in a PSB stands at Rs.23700/- compared to Rs.56100/- for Group „A‟ officers of Central Government. This alone is enough to tell the tale of wage revision for officers in banks. To be brief, before 1979, the Basic Pay of a bank officer was more than that of an IAS officer, while now the emoluments of bank officers is a fraction of what an IAS officer draws. For all practical purposes, officers of banks are treated as public servants. As a matter of fact, Bank officers have been equated to Group „A‟ officers of Central Government. The service conditions are also on the lines of Civil Services. Banks are working as the extended arm of the Union Government, implementing its policies and programmes in the financial sector and are under the control, supervision and ownership of


Government. This being the situation, it is unfortunate that the same yardstick is not being followed while carrying out revision of salaries and allowances for these two sets of officers. While in government service, salary being paid to the officers, is having no relevance to their performance, banks being the extended arm of Government and within its ownership, there is no rationale as to why similar approach cannot be adopted. Moreover, banks are earning and improving their operating profit, year after year, though the net profit has declined on account of the policies like maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (earning zero income for banks), Statutory Liquidity Ratio, directed lending, provisioning norms, write off policies, hair-cuts driven by Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code etc. over which neither the banks nor the bank officers have any control. Beyond all, services of the bankers to the country cannot be valued at all, considering the fact that they serve the citizenry of the country under varied and compelling circumstances, sometimes even endangering their lives.

Government has been following a contradictory stand. While for the purpose of control and monitoring and restrictions – bank officers are treated as Government servants, for the purpose of salary and allowances, they are NOT!! We request that the profit and any such parameter be delinked for the purpose of salary revision, as we serve the nation like other Government employees. b. Pension updation: Pension is revised for retired Government employees with every pay revision automatically. Recently, Government has updated pension of RBI personnel. But, for bankmen it does not happen at all. With this, many are being paid pension which are awfully low. Retirees cannot meet day to day expenditure and cannot afford a dignified living. Family pension is nothing short of a pittance – half the rate applicable to Government employees!! Pension drawn by officers in highest Scale (i.e. General Managers) of yester years is lesser than that of clerks who have retired / are retiring today.


We request that pension needs to be updated with every salary revision and family pension needs to be revised as is applicable to Government employees. Retired officers have a right to lead a reasonable life for having devoted their life time to the cause of the Organization and Nation Building. c. Working Environment in Banking Industry and recruitment of staffs: Perhaps, banking industry is the only industry where business doubles every 10 years, but the staff position halves. There was no recruitment in Banks for decades and decades. This decade is termed as decade of retirements. Large number of officers/ staffs who were recruited in 1980s is retiring and there will be an exodus in next couple of years. With this, the existing officers have to shoulder huge work load. They are forced to work on all days, disregarding weekly and other holidays. Officers, thus, have been invisibly chained to their offices and have lost personal, social and family life. Work-life balance has been severely impaired. This needs to be seen from

the angle of human rights also. This has also been one of the reasons for increased ill-health among bank officers. A large number of suicides are being reported. Young Officers are suffering from cardiac/lifestyle diseases. It is not out of place to mention here with recently, a young officer in 30s suffered a heart attack on duty. There is an urgent necessity to bring in a suitable law so as to prohibit exploitation of officers.

There is also an imperative need to recruit employees in all cadres. This not only provides respite to working officers/employees, but also employment to the youth and helps building „knowledge– bank‟ and continuity.

d. Misplaced focus of bank business: Banks were meant to be a bridge between savers and the users of money. Banks are regarded as trust houses of citizenry who keep their savings which are deployed by banks, by way of credit, for productive purposes so that money becomes useful to the society, improves economic conditions and add to the productivity and the GDP of


the country. Additionally, Banks were also carrying on few ancillary services, which are not being handled by any other Institutions as such, like Custodial Safe Deposit, Safe Custody, Advisory Services etc. to help customers. In fact, these were complimentary services to the banking business. The core activity of banks continued to be collecting deposit and lending. Of late, a misplaced concept has crept in. Powers that be, want the banks to be „super market of all financial services” and hence included marketing of third-party insurance, mutual fund products etc. within the ambit of banking business while there is no augmentation of staff for the same. There are exclusive institutions/organizations and financial system in existence to extend such insurance and mutual products. There is no necessity that bank should be indulging in these sorts of activities, discarding its main objective. In fact, these are one of the prime reasons for deterioration in asset quality. Deliberately and by evil design, marketing of these third-party products has been incentivized. Incentives are in the form of financial, non-

financial bounties and perks. Foreign excursions are being arranged in the name of education / training programmes (from junior level to the topmost management). Officers / Staffs are being lured and allured by these incentives. With this, the focus of banks and the officials has shifted from core activity of lending, serving customers to just marketing third party products. The shift has been so intense that prime and important activities like follow-up, monitoring and recovery of loans have been relegated to back stage. These are going to harm the very fabric of banking. As these third-party products are sold on the basis of incentives, mis-selling / wrong selling / force selling is rampant. There is an urgent necessity to stop handling of such non-banking activities in banks in the interest of banks and the customers.

e. Strangulating and Weakening Public Sector Banks: There is an orchestrated effort to strangulate and weaken the Public Sector Banks through the NPA weaponry. Through a designed set of Schemes (like CDR, SDR, JLF, S4A


etc.), the RBI permitted the banks to evergreen their NPAs for more than a decade. Suddenly in the year 2016 & 2017, the banks were forced to declare these evergreened accounts as NPAs and provide for them out of their Operating Profits within two-three quarters under the Asset Quality Review (AQR) policy (which was declared by the then RBI Governor, Shri Raghuram Rajan, but was found to be totally wrongful two years later). Due to this ruthless body-blow of AQR, most of the PSBs were made to bleed and post net losses and eventually pictured as weak. Even before the banks could manage to wriggle out of the AQR assault, RBI introduced an illogical Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) concept and brought more than 11 banks under this restrictive and retrograde mechanism. Later on, many of these banks have arbitrarily been declared to be out of PCA restrictions. There is a need to relook into this aspect. f. Denationalization of Banks: During 1969 and 1980, the then Government nationalised many banks to ensure availability of banking facilities to the common man

of the country, liberating them from the clutches of money lenders. Banks have contributed to the successful implementation of various policies and programmes. Public Sector Banks have played a stellar role in the success of all revolutions be it Green, Blue, White. Public Sector Banks took banking to the places which were not accessible and in which private banks were/are not interested. Public Sector Banks have implemented pro-citizenry programmes like No-Frill Accounts, Jandhan, affordable insurance schemes of the government including Aadhaar, which are unheard in any part of the world. Today‟s financial and economic independence of the countrymen is on account of the active role played by the Public Sector Banks which account for around 80% of Indian banking and nearly 100% in rural areas. Of late, there have been attempts to merge the Public Sector Banks in the garb of efficiency, scale of operations, NPAs etc. These, in fact, no way help either the merging entities or the common man. The result will be closure of bank branches in name of rationalization of branches.


Credit delivery will be affected. Common man will suffer as branches will be closed. We have already witnessed this in the merger of Associate Banks with State Bank of India (It is reported that more than 2500 branches have been closed after merger in SBI). These, we believe, are steps in the direction of privatization. Robust, time-tested and huge banking resources and network may go to the hands of corporates and foreign entities. We think that this is nothing but reverse bank nationalization. Government is fast tracking Mergers & Acquisition in banking, which is a route already proved to be unsuccessful and therefore abandoned in the global economy. If this is not stopped, irreparable and irreversible damage will occur to these banks and the customers and other stakeholders of these banks. This year, being the Golden Jubilee Year of Bank Nationalization, we appeal that the benefits derived from Nationalization may please be kept in mind and endeavour to flourish the public sector banks. Further, we urge you to nationalise all old generation private sector

banks in the larger interest of customers and the nation.

g. Five Day Week: Keeping in view the scientific practices prevailing across the countries, the demand for Five days week was originally placed in the 10th BPS, when 2nd and 4th Saturdays were declared as holidays. At present, it has become a priority, which is likely to bring many positive effects, such as increased productivity, improved job satisfaction and morale, decreased absenteeism, reduced energy costs and work-life balance. Globally, the organizations work 5 days a week. The working conditions in the Banks have been strenuous. Poor infrastructure, lack of adequate staff has made the officers till late in the night, resulting in poor health, huge pressure on the officers, which culminates in serious work-leisure mismatches, life style diseases and of late, repeated acts of suicides being committed by the officers of the Banks. Officers are called upon to work on holidays and Sundays, frequently disrupting the personal life. On account of this, officers are being burnt-out, unable to justify


themselves in their family. Introduction of Five-Day Week will not only result in savings to the organization in terms of overheads and bring in a human element in the officers‟ lives, but also would enable a meaningful social life – which in turn will result in higher efficiency in work place. 5 Days‟ week will also rejuvenate many other commercial sectors/activities of the economy. A positive move in this regard would be hailed by one and all. The matter may please be addressed at the earliest.

h. National Pension System (NPS): While the contribution is defined and certain in this scheme, the return is most uncertain and undefined. The funds of NPS are subject to market risk. This does not provide family pension, which convention pension provides, in cases of unfortunate death of pensioner. We also urge upon your good office to restore the Old Defined Benefit Pension scheme and scrap the National Pension System, which has been implemented in Banks since August, 2010. There is tremendous resentment amongst the new recruits,

who want restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.

i. Reckoning allowances as Basic for the purpose of arriving superannuation benefits: We also invite your kind attention to the Judgment delivered by Hon‟ble Supreme Court on 28th February, 2019 in Civil Appeal No. 6221 of 2011 filed by Regional Provident Commissioner (II) West Bengal, wherein it was held that the Special Allowance payable in all these concerns to all the employees without exception falls within the definition of Basic Wages in Sec 2(b) of Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952. It is also pertinent to submit that the definition of Basic Wages in Sec 2(b) of EPF Act is similar to the definition of Wages in Sec 2(s) of Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. The above judgment is clearly applicable to Banks‟ Provident Fund Scheme too, making it obligatory on Banks to reckon Special Allowance for contribution to Provident Fund for employees, who are PF optees and as a sequel extend its application to pay defined under Pension Regulation 2(s). In view of the ratio


applied by the Hon‟ble Supreme Court, the Special Allowance with its Dearness Allowance component should be reckoned for payment of Gratuity, contribution to Provident Fund and computation of Pension. It is also pertinent to submit that all allowances counted for the purpose of making contribution to the Provident Fund and for the payment of Dearness Allowance are the component of Pay for the purpose of computation of Pension in terms of Pension Regulation 2(s)(b)(ii). The employees who fall under the Xth Bi-partite settlement should also be rightfully extended the benefits of this landmark judgment. j. Attack on Bankers – Need to put in place adequate security measures: There have been frequently reported incidents of attacks on bankers, both by miscreants, disgruntled elements and motivated mobs. Recently, an officer was shot dead in the broad day light by miscreants within the bank premises. Many officers monitoring loans and on recovery job, have lost their precious lives in the line of duty or faced fatal injuries due to the faulty

policies and inadequate security measures deployed by the bank management. Customers also being injured/ murdered when such incidents happen. These have instilled sense of fear and uncertainty in the officers and staff as well as customers of the Banks. The lackadaisical approach of the management of the banks is very evident. Banks have been compromising with the basic requirement of security arrangements including posting of armed guards at branches and security personnel at ATM sites in the name of curtailing overheads. For past more than one-and-a-half years, almost all banks – both public and private sectors – have stopped deploying armed security guards at their branches and ATM counters. As such, banks and ATM sites have become soft targets for the dacoits and terrorists. The security arrangements need to be fortified to instil the confidence in officers and customers. Finally, we request your good office to instruct the banks and all the state government machinery to provide adequate security arrangements at bank branches and ATM sites for the bank personnel and


customers. Banks should recruit their own permanent security personnel for better and continuous monitoring of security measures in the Bank, instead of depending on out-sourced personnel/agencies.

k. Taxing Leave Encashment: Sir, every employee, whether in government or others, works hard, makes all endeavour to save the Privilege Leave (Earned Leave) as it can be encashed upon superannuation. To that extent, employee would have undergone stress, strain and inconvenience, with the only aspiration these saved leaves can be monetised, resulting in a corpus amount that can come to his/her rescue, post-retirement. Essential this is a part of a social security measure, Government should think of. Here, we have observed an aberration of inequal treatment of citizens of the country. Income Tax Act treats the government and non-governmental employees differently. While entire Leave Encashment amount is tax free in the hands of government employee and the legal heirs of diseased, non-governmental

employees, including bankmen, are not extended with this benefit and in their cases, tax exemption is restricted to Rs. 3 lakh only, which is unfair and discriminatory. Further this ceiling has been fixed decades and decades back. Keeping in view the inflation, present value of the earnings, and in order not to discriminate the salary earners, please exempt the leave encashment fully. We request that necessary Amendment may please be carried out to Sec 10AA of Income Tax Act. l. Data integrity and safekeeping: Banks have been collecting personal details, Aadhar, PAN, thumb impression of customers and staff for various purposes, be it a party of KYC or for access control. There are umpteen number of incidents where bank appoints third party in handling its affairs. In the garb of access control, the thumb impression of officers and staff are obtained and handled by third-party, outsourced agents. This is a ticking bomb. These are likely to be hazardous sooner or later unless they are safe-vaulted and third party vendors are obviated. We request you to instruct, in


strict terms, that the Banks shall not assign any task which involves storage and handling of personal / KYC details to third party vendors. This is not only in the interest of the officers / staff and customers, but also in the interest of the banks and the economy.

4. Sir, as a responsible Trade Union representing the aspirations of over 3.20 lakh bank officers, we have already taken up these issues with IBA, individual banks and also the Ministry of Finance. Despite repeated attempts and agitations, issues stand unresolved as yet. With your assuming the office, we sincerely seek your kind indulgence and request you to direct the concerned to resolve the issues to the mutual satisfaction urgently. With best wishes and regards, Yours sincerely, Sd/-

(Soumya Datta)

General Secretary

AIBOC COMMUNICATION

TO IBA 8th Joint Note – Unconditional Mandate to cover all officers

We reproduce hereunder the text of

AIBOC Circular No 2019/35 dated

25-06-2019.

Text

Text of Joint Note dated 25.06.2019

Camp: Bangalore Date: 25.06.2019

The Chairman Indian Banks‟ Association Mumbai Dear Sir, Further to the communications resting at your end for immediate resolution on the captioned subject matter, the delay on your part halts further progress of wage revision exercise of officers. 2. To make it specific, Officers‟ Service Regulations introduced in the year 1979 covers entire Officers‟ fraternity, which is also a statute for all practical purposes. 3. All the four officers‟ organisations met today and discussed the issue threadbare. It is decided by all the four officers' organisations that IBA should forthwith resolve the issue of


fractured mandate to enable us to move forward in completing the wage negotiation process. 4. We, the four officers‟ organisations urge upon your good office to resolve the impasse positively by 2nd July, 2019 to enable us to take part in the discussion meaningfully and fulfil the aspirations of the entire officers‟ fraternity. Yours sincerely,

Sd/- (Soumya Datta) General Secretary, AIBOC Sd/- (Nagarajan S) General Secretary, AIBOA Sd/- (K K Nair) General Secretary, INBOC Sd/- (Viraj Tikekar) General Secretary, NOBO

AIBOC COMMUNICATION TO UNION MINISTER FOR

HOME AFFAIRS ASSAULT ON BANKERS – LOSS OF LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY We reproduce hereunder the text of AIBOC Circular No 2019/34 dated 19-06-2019.

Text of letter no. AIBOC/2019/56 dated 19.06.2019

Shri Amit Shah Hon‟ble Union Minister for Home Affairs Government of India North Block New Delhi- 110 001 Respected Sir, ASSAULT ON BANKERS – LOSS OF LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY At the outset, All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC), the apex organisation of bank officers in the country, having a membership of over 3.20 lakh congratulates your goodselves and new team of ministers led by respected Shri Narendra Modiji, Hon‟ble Prime Minister. We are sure that, with your acumen and commitment, the country will


attain greater heights in all spheres of life and ensure equity and justice to all. 02. Sir, with deep consternation, we wish to bring to your kind attention, that on 18th June, 2019, Shri Karan Singh Negi, a promising young officer of just 31 years of age working in Bank of Baroda, at the Bank‟s Nimbol branch, in the Jalgaon Region of Pune Zone was shot dead by a couple of unidentified miscreants, while he was in line of duty. At around 2: 20 p.m. on that day, two unidentified miscreants entered the premises with helmets on their heads and revolvers in hand. It is learnt that one of them fired on the wall so as to frighten the employees / officers / customers present at the branch. Shri Negi valiantly warded off the miscreants and somehow managed to press the security alarm, which normally is connected to the nearest police station. In retaliation, Shri Negi was fired upon by the assailants and died on the spot. They had also fired bullets towards another employee of the branch, who somehow escaped. The miscreants walked away from the branch after the gruesome murder in broad daylight. 03. Sir, this incident is not an isolated one. In the past few years various bank managements have been compromising with the basic requirement of security

arrangements including posting of armed guards at branches and security personnel at ATM sites in the name of curtailing overheads. For past more than one-and-a-half years, almost all banks – both public and private sectors – have stopped deploying armed security guards at their branches and ATM counters. As such, banks and ATM sites have become soft targets for the dacoits and terrorists. The victims are mostly bank officers, whose precious lives are lost in the line of duty due to the faulty policies of the bank management. Customers have also been killed and injured during such attempted heists. The security arrangements need to be fortified to instil the confidence in officers and customers. 04. Shri Karan Singh Negi had been a committed worker and always been true to his duty. Even at the time of the attempted heist, he did put bank‟s interest first over his life. The loss to the bereaved family is irreparable and his presence amongst the banking fraternity is irreplaceable. His death has sparked off deep resentment amongst the entire banking fraternity, who are seething with anger and demanding justice for Shri Negi and arrest of the miscreants. 05. We salute the sacrifice of Shri Negi, who laid down his life in the


line of duty. We also urge upon your good office to ensure that the bank managements ensure adequate safety and security arrangements forthwith. We also demand that a complete impartial inquiry be conducted by any preferable government agency, and the bank management publishes a white paper on the same. We also demand the accountability of the board of the bank for the precious loss of human life for the misplaced priorities of the concerned bank. 06. Finally, we request your good office to take up the matter with the concerned departments as well as the State Governments to issue appropriate instructions immediately for ensuring adequate security arrangements at bank branches and ATM sites for the bank personnel and customers. 07. We request your good office to meet a small delegation of our Confederation at your earliest convenience to present our views on this issue. With best regards, Yours sincerely, Sd/- (Soumya Datta) General Secretary

PROBATIONARY OFFICERS (RURAL BANKING)–PO (RB): RELAXATION IN SERVICE CONDITIONS ON RETAINING PO (RB) IN RURAL BUSINESS FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF 10 YEARS It has been our constant endeavor that opportunities have to be made available to the officers recruited under specialized streams to enable them to be part of generalist pool of officers. Over a period of time, their skills would have been honed in general banking making them capable of shouldering the responsibilities as of any other general pool officers. Given the fact that the banking business has become structured, with standardized approach in all operational areas, it is highly desirable that specialists should also be given an opportunity to join the pool of general bankers. This will provide an opportunity to such officers by opening up new vistas of possibilities. Towards this end, we have been demanding conversion of officers recruited under special channels [like Probationary Officers (Rural Banking), RMROs, CRE-PBs etc.] to general cadre. 2. We are glad to inform you that bank has considered one of such request and has issued circular No:CDO/P&HRD-CM/23/2019-20


dated 19.06.19, relaxing the policy approved at the time of recruitment of POs (RB) of retaining such officers in rural business for a minimum period of 10 years and thereby permit them to be posted in any other verticals of the Bank as may be required by the Bank, in respect of POs(RB). We thank the Bank management for taking this appropriate step. Affiliates may please note the same. Yours comradely, Sd/- General Secretary

The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer State Bank of India Madame Cama Road Mumbai- 400 021 Dear Sir,

14.6.2019 REPATRIATION OF OFFICERS IN SMGS IV & V POSTED TO OTHER CIRCLES It is observed that several SMGS IV & V Officers, who were posted to other Circles viz. Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Kolkata either on promotion or on administrative grounds, are yet to be repatriated to their parent Circle despite their completion of three year stay in those Circles. Some of such officers have even completed more than four years in the present Circle. These officials have since registered their requests in the relative ICT portal, which have not been considered so far. Incidentally, most of their colleagues, who were also transferred at the same time have since been repatriated, which have created deep resentment and angst. 2. We also would like to bring to your kind attention that many SMGS-IV and SMGS-V officers were transferred to Guwahati Circle in mid FY2017, who will be completing 2 years stay in the Circle shortly. As per guidelines of Govt. of India, such officers should


be repatriated to their parent Circle on completion of two years. Consequent upon changes in the transfer policy of the Bank, which inter-alia, has made it mandatory that the entire transfer exercise has to be completed before 30th June every year; those officials posted in Guwahati Circle in August‟17 or thereafter should be considered for repatriation as a special case in the current fiscal. Else, they will be compelled to stay in the Circle for nearly three years, which is in contravention of the extant Govt. guidelines. 3. We, therefore, urge upon your good office to take a favourable decision about the repatriation of the officers as mentioned in Para1 to the parent Circles before the closure of the transfer exercise i.e. 30th June, 2019. We also request you to consider the repatriation of officers posted to Guwahati Circle on completion of two years stay thereat. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary

WELFARE ACTIVITIES FELICITATION OF RETIRED

EMPLOYEES/OFFICERS SUGGESTION FOR

INTRODUCTION OF MILESTONE AWARD

AISBOF has sent a communication to the DMD& CDO, State Bank of India, on the captioned subject. DATE: 14.06.2019 The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer State Bank of India Madame Cama Road Mumbai- 400 021. Dear Sir, State Bank of India has been in the league of elite employers and pioneer in HR initiatives. Bank has its due credit to many “firsts” in the industry. Bank has been recognizing the services of the employees/officers and a memento is being presented to retiring officers, ranging from Rs.10,000/- (JMGS I) to Rs.1,25,000/- (Chairman). 2. We understand that some PSUs have introduced path-breaking HR initiative of recognizing the contribution of its retired personnel, who are also a major stakeholder. Retired personnel are being presented with a cash memento starting from Rs.70000/- to Rs.2,00,000/- on reaching the age


of 70 years, with 5 yearly intervals thereafter. 3. We find that this is an innovative way of recognizing the services of employees/officers, who have toiled for the cause of the organization during prime of their age. We earnestly hope that our bank, being the premier financial institution of the country and front runner in implementing various welfare measures and HR Policies should also initiate some path breaking welfare policy for SBI Seniors, which will be hailed by one and all. Let us acknowledge and respect the contribution of our veterans, who have made our esteemed institution to reach where it is today. 4. We, therefore, request you to form a suitable scheme on the above lines which will strengthen the bondage of personnel with the Bank eternally and surely it will be another landmark decision that will be written in golden letters in the annals of the glorious history of our esteemed organisation. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- (Soumya Datta) General Secretary

COMMUNICATION FROM THE

CONFEDERATION The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer State Bank of India Madame Cama Road Mumbai- 400 021

14.06.2019 Dear Sir, ISSUES PERTAINING TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED OFFICERS (VIO) Bank has been recruiting Visually Impaired Officers (VIO), in terms of the guidelines of Government of India. Though VIOs are no less capable than any other officer, because of their specialty, they need to be provided with all possible comforts and infrastructure not only to make best use of their ability, but also to instil confidence that they can also lead a normal life and contribute, as like anybody else. 2. We had occasions to interact with VIOs, all over the country. During the interactions, they have shared the challenges faced by them and suggested certain institutional support, which can make them perform better as appended:

a. Officials in offices where VIOs are posted should be


sensitized so as to have empathy to their special ability. Expectations from VIO should be reasonable and they should never be compared with other officers. Work allocation should be done keeping in view their ability and as per Govt of India guidelines and norms. Most importantly, VIOs should be treated with due dignity and respect to enable them to work with self-esteem.

b. Providing computer with JAWS software will enable them to perform better.

c. Revamping of Intranet sites

with the facility to magnify texts upto 200 per cent, screen readers, text alternatives of images and colour contrast for employees, who are colour blind.

d. Postings to be at their place of

choice, in terms of extant policy, as they depend much on their family support. Many a time, extant instructions are overlooked causing mental agony and loss of confidence and self-esteem.

e. Postings should be at back

office like CPCs/RBOs/AOs. Feedback has been very

positive on their performance at such offices.

f. Assignment of role needs to

be done, assessing their potentials into consideration. The KRAs to be set accordingly and feedback to be taken from time to time.

g. Training to be imparted at

regular intervals, say at half-yearly intervals to update them on usage of JAWS Software, shortcut keys etc. which upgrades skills and knowledge.

h. A liaison officer may be

identified at AO/LHO, preferably from among VIOs, who would be able to appreciate their challenges with empathy and also take steps for resolving their grievance, if any.

i. A Grievance Redressal Day

may be observed, say at quarterly intervals.

j. Appropriate accessibility to

be provided at the place of posting for specially abled with compatible work environment (Accessible India Campaign)

k. An exclusive pre-promotion

training facility may be made


available as their needs/method of training are different from that of others.

l. They may also be encouraged

to upgrade their knowledge by designing appropriate certificate based learning, without linking it to CDS. This will create an environment of challenge and a trigger to excel.

m. Audio e-Circular be made

available at all Circles as is done by Delhi Circle. Their initiative of Rajbhasa Adhikari is indeed praiseworthy. Audio Circulars in respect of common areas of work allotted/expected from VIOs should be released from time to time.

n. Permanent Faculty for

training VIOs should be provided at identified Learning Centres.

o. Training for Digital

products/YONO/Asset Liability Products may be provided to VIOs at regular intervals.

p. VIOs should be provided

with taxi facilities for all official duties.

q. Those who are suffer from photophobia should not be

posted as FOs where they have to work in bright sun light.

3. The expectations of VIOs are reasonable and provision of the said support merits consideration, which will eventually enable them to contribute better to the organisation. We request you to take suitable steps to implement them and issue necessary instructions in this regard.

With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer State Bank of India Madame Cama Road Mumbai- 400 021 Dear Sir,

14.6.2019

REIMBURSEMENT OF COST OF MOBILE HANDSET Bank has been reimbursing the cost of mobile handset purchased by the officers in view the fact that mobiles have become integral part of life for communication and to discharge official responsibilities also. The eligibility for reimbursement of handset was last


revised vide Circular No.P&HRD. Sl No:1262/2013-14 [CDO/P&HRD-PM/73/2013 – 14] on 18.02.2014. 2. There has been a sea change in the usage of technology in Bank. Bank has being embarking upon techno-banking projects in a very big way. Projects like YONO, Internet Banking etc. are mobile oriented applications. Bank has also been encouraging employees to use Apps like MyHRMS and had provided a platform where employees can access Bank‟s Intranet on mobile. 3. We feel that our officials need to be equipped with high end sets with higher RAM and more storage (ROM) to propagate various technological initiatives of the bank. Further, as mobiles are being used incessantly, in order to obviate the risk of radiation, they have to be of highest quality. 4. In this backdrop, we request you to revisit and revise the present ceiling of reimbursement of mobile handsets substantially to enable of officers to purchase suitable handsets for official use. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary

The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer State Bank of India,Madame Cama Road Mumbai- 400 021. Dear Sir,

14.6.2019 WELFARE ACTIVITIES FELICITATION OF RETIRED EMPLOYEES/OFFICERS SUGGESTION FOR INTRODUCTION OF MILESTONE AWARD State Bank of India has been in the league of elite employers and pioneer in HR initiatives. Bank has its due credit to many “firsts” in the industry. Bank has been recognizing the services of the employees/officers and a memento is being presented to retiring officers, ranging from Rs.10,000/- (JMGS I) to Rs.1,25,000/- (Chairman). 2. We understand that some PSUs have introduced path-breaking HR initiative of recognizing the contribution of its retired personnel, who are also a major stakeholder. Retired personnel are being presented with a cash memento starting from Rs.70000/- to Rs.2,00,000/- on reaching the age of 70 years, with 5 yearly intervals thereafter.


3. We find that this is an innovative way of recognizing the services of employees/officers, who have toiled for the cause of the organization during prime of their age. We earnestly hope that our bank, being the premier financial institution of the country and front runner in implementing various welfare measures and HR Policies should also initiate some path breaking welfare policy for SBI Seniors, which will be hailed by one and all. Let us acknowledge and respect the contribution of our veterans, who have made our esteemed institution to reach where it is today. 4. We, therefore, request you to form a suitable scheme on the above lines which will strengthen the bondage of personnel with the Bank eternally and surely it will be another landmark decision that will be written in golden letters in the annals of the glorious history of our esteemed organisation. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary

The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer, State Bank of India, Madame Cama Road, Mumbai- 400 021

12.6.2019 Dear Sir,

STAFF WELFARE ACTIVITIES COVERING INDIVIDUAL STAFF HOUSING LOANS

SANCTIONED PRIOR TO 01.10.2014 UNDER

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

You are aware that while revising the quantum of staff housing loans vide Circular no 7936/2014-15/CDO/P&HRD-IR/49/2014-15 dated 30.09.2014, the Bank also provided life insurance coverage in respect of outstanding in Individual Housing Loan Accounts of staff sanctioned on or after 01.10.2014 as an added welfare measure for employees. In this regard, the Bank obtained a Group Term Policy on 15.06.2015 from SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd covering outstanding in home loan accounts of employees opened under Individual Housing Loan Scheme (IHLS)on or after 01.10.2014 and the same will become due for renewal on 19.09.2019. The annual premium on the policy is being paid by the Bank.


2. Against this backdrop, we have requested the Bank on several occasions to extend the Group Insurance coverage to those staff home loan accounts opened prior to 01.10.2014 as an extension of welfare measure to protect the interest of such officials and their family members against any untoward incident. Incidentally, with the passage of time, huge number of loan accounts and the outstandings in the Staff Housing Loan accounts has come down drastically resulting in lower premium for extending such cover and definitely it will not pose as burden to the Bank. Moreover, the ceiling prior to 01.10.2014 was on a lower side. 3. However, we had raised this issue in the CNC meeting held on 28.03.2019 and we were informed that suitable view will be taken after „Cost analysis‟ in the next fiscal i.e. 2019-20. 4. In view of the foregoing, we would request your good office to take a call on the issue and consider the possibility of covering outstanding in the staff housing loan accounts sanctioned prior to 01.10.2014 at the time of renewal of master policy due on 19.09.2019. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary

The Deputy Managing Director & CDO State Bank of India, Corporate Centre, Madame Cama Road, Mumbai- 400 021 Dear Sir, 11.6.2019

Staff Welfare Activities - Individual Staff Housing Loans

Realty Increase in construction period for

staff and relaxation in ceiling At the outset, we would like to draw your attention to some of the anomalies prevailing in Individual Staff Housing Loan of our officers, which needs to be addressed. 2. Realty scheme of the Bank has been launched for public for purchase of land and subsequent construction of house thereon. The initial construction period was 2 years and consequent to the feedbacks received from the customers, Bank had revised the construction period from 2 to 5 years vide Circular No. NBG/REH&HD-HL/40/2016 – 17 dated 23.11.2016. 3. However, the construction period for Individual Staff Housing Loan scheme (IHLS), as per the HR Handbook Vol 3, is still 24 months. Since the IHLS can be availed after 2 years of confirmed service, many


officers are availing this facility for purchase of land. But with the increasing cost of land, considerable amount is needed for construction of house. In addition to this, as per the present scheme, an officer is allowed to avail 50% of his overall eligibility for purchase of land. So, as per the scheme, maximum loan amount of Rs.30 lakh can be availed by an officer for purchase of land out of his total eligibility of Rs.60 lakh. Anomalies

As per the present scheme, an officer is restricted to purchase a land with limited amount of eligibility and with present soaring cost of land, getting a land in suitable place is becoming an issue.

With the reduced construction period, many times, officers are forced to pay penalty/make compromise on his/her dream project as allocated budget after purchase of land is found be inadequate.

Basic pay

DA (60%)

Total Eligibility 60%(after all deduction)(PF @6%)& NPS)

Per lakh EMI(for 20 years)

Total Eligibility

For Purchase of Land

30000 18000 21000 595 35 lakh

17.50 lakh

From the above table, it is apparent that with the given amount of Rs.17.50 lakh, it would be difficult to purchase a suitable land at his/her choice and his/her income and savings growth may not be sufficient to complete the house construction with the remaining amount of eligibility. He/she needs to pay penalty for non-completion of house within the stipulated period. Suggestions To increase the construction

period from 2 to 5 years as in the case of public, which will allow the officers to have a breathing space to complete the construction and without having to pay penalty.

Considering the steep rise in the cost of land, a relaxation from the existing 50% ceiling in overall eligibility for acquiring land should be allowed. If the construction period is increased to 5 years, an officer will be able to complete the construction as his/her eligibility increases due to salary hike and the increased personal savings, which can be utilized in bridging the gap in loan amount and the cost of construction. Also, if an officer produces sufficient


proof that he can construct house with his own funding, a relaxation of upward revision in the existing ceiling should be allowed.

Our employees are our internal customers and they should definitely receive the same benefits available to our customers, if not more. Hence, we request you to look in to the anomalies stated above and we hope the matter will be resolved in due course. With regards, Yours sincerely, Sd/- General Secretary The Dy. Managing Director& CDO State Bank of India Corporate Centre Madame Cama Road Mumbai – 400021. Dear Sir,

11.6.2019 REVIEW OF SUSPENSION

CASES This is to bring to your kind

attention the large number of

suspensions that has been taking

place across the circles. A separate

annexure is attached incorporating

the Circle wise break up of officers

under suspension along with the

span of time. The number is not

only staggering but also reflects the

perfunctory approach of the Circle

functionaries towards the issue of

review of suspension cases every

quarter as out of 166 cases of

suspensions, 107 are more than 6

months old and 64 cases are more

than 1 year. There are 16 cases

which are more than two years old.

It is reported by our affiliates that

the inordinate delay in resolving

such matters lies squarely with the

Disciplinary Authorities, who

attach least priority to these cases.

2. It is also reported that the request

of these officers for restoration of

full subsistence allowance after the

stipulated period of one year is

often not entertained by the

Disciplinary Authorities, which

further aggravates the mental

agony and trauma that these

officers are subjected to. It is

common knowledge that as per

Vigilance Manual, suspension is

not a punishment. However, it is

also common knowledge that a

case of suspension is often more

than the quantum of punishment

received as it leaves an indelible

scar on the reputation and self-

esteem of the officer, which is

irreversible.


3. We have our views on the basic

issue of suspension. There is a

school of thought which strongly

advocates that no one should be

placed under suspension. A

delinquent can be quarantined

suitably so that he has no scope to

„tamper‟ with any evidence. We

have come across several cases

where officers have been placed

under suspension and then again

reinstated after a very short period.

Do such cases vindicate the

decision of suspension in the first

place? Or was it carried out to

satisfy the ego of the Disciplinary

Authority? We have to understand

that in this era of CDS and

„manpower planning‟ everyone is

accounted for. There is acute dearth

of officers. Thus one suspension

invariably upsets the entire

equation. We feel that the

ramifications of a case of

suspension and the domino effect

are not taken into account.

In view of the above, we request

you to issue suitable directive to

the Circles to arrange for

immediate review of all the cases of

suspensions afresh and reinstate

the officers. In cases where the

reinstatement is not deemed

appropriate by the Disciplinary

Authority, full emoluments should

be released to the officers without

any delay. We also request you to

advise the Circles to ensure that the

enquiries are completed within the

timeline stipulated by Corporate

Centre.

With regards, Yours sincerely, Sd/- General Secretary

No.6803/34/19 Date: 10.06.2019 The Deputy Managing Director & Corporate Development Officer, State Bank of India, Madame Cama Road, Mumbai- 400 021 Dear Sir,

STAFF WELFARE ACTIVITIES GROUP INSURANCE SCHEME

FOR EMPLOYEES SAMPOORN SURAKSHA

SCHEME ENHANCEMENT IN COVER

In consonance with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Central Board, a Group Insurance Scheme was introduced w.e.f. 7th February 2007 with a uniform cover of Rs 2 lakh for all the permanent employees of the bank from SBI Life Insurance co. Ltd.


Subsequently, the bank has taken a graded group insurance cover for staff as against the uniform cover of Rs 2 lakh for all permanent employees w.e.f. 7th February 2013 i.e. after 6 years since the scheme was introduced. The graded group insurance cover has remained same since 2013 except inclusion of TEGSS-II & above with a cover of Rs 12 lakh. 2. You are aware that the over the last six years, the age profile of the employees have come down substantially with the induction of new blood. Incidentally, the new recruits in the bank are not eligible under bank‟s Assured Pension Scheme. Instead, they are enrolled under National Pension System of the Government of India, which does not fall within the ambit of staff welfare activities of the bank and there is no provision for family pension. Inflation has become a permanent phenomenon in the country and has witnessed rising prices year after year. Inversely, the real value of money has declined significantly over the years. The corpus of Rs 5 lakh for the family of deceased official upto MMGS-III is therefore merely a pittance in the prevailing circumstances. 3. In view of the foregoing, we would fervently urge your good office to revisit the adequacy of the cover amount of the Suraksha Scheme in the present socio-

economic circumstances and the demographical changes in the institution. As per our calculations, the enhancement of minimum cover for officers to Rs 25 lakh will not result in substantial increase in premium and can well be explored for the benefit and welfare of our fraternity. With regards, Yours sincerely Sd/- General Secretary

RTGS PAYMENT SYSTEM - EXTENSION OF TRANSACTION

TIME We reproduce hereunder our communication sent to the Governor, Reserve Bank of India vide our letter no. AIBOC/2019/53 dated 04.06.2019 on the captioned subject. Copy of the letter has also been sent to the Secretary DFS and Chairman IBA.

TEXT The Governor Reserve Bank of India Central Office Building 18th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg,Mumbai-400 001. Respected Sir, Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) Payment System –


Extension of Timings for Customer Transactions We refer to letter No.RBI/2018-19/189 -DPSS (CO) RTGS No. 2488/04.04.16/2018-19 dated 28.05.19 revising (extending) the RTGS timings for customer transactions. 2. The revised instruction presumably is to facilitate the corporate customers to transfer funds cater to their business needs. However, we wish to point some pertinent issues for your consideration, which are appended.

a. Bank branches in the country are generally open for duration of 8 hours. Extending customer transactions beyond 6 pm necessarily demands the personnel within the bank to work beyond stipulated working hours, which violates the law of the land and would be tantamount to breach of service rules.

b. Transactions in banks are invariably put through maker-checker mechanism. Making/Initiating a transaction is the basic and fundamental duty of clerical cadre whereas checker/authoriser may be a clerical staff or an officer, depending upon the passing powers assigned as per the

policy of individual banks. The revised instruction calls for working beyond officer hours, in which case, clerical staff will not be available. Under these circumstances, either the transactions cannot be put through after office hours, or need to be conducted without maker – checker concept, which exposes banks to grave systemic and operational risk. Further, officers will be constrained to perform original work, which is not expected of the cadre. The present day Core Banking Software implemented at the branches are already officer-centric and any further extension of time for RTGS transactions, would invariably fall upon the officers disrupting the supervisory functions and affecting work-life balance.

c. As regulator, we are sure that

Reserve Bank of India is well aware of the fact that the officers in banks are already over-burdened due to acute staff shortage and other constraints having to address multifarious tasks viz. garner remunerative business, do schematic lending, recover monies, sell third party products, render excellent customer service and sundry other work as is assigned upon them thus shrinking the time available for officers. Further


the clerical to officers‟ ratio has been declining and is abysmally low, indicating very clearly the inadequate clerical cadre and that consequential shift of such work to officer cadre. Meaningful, adequate augmentation has not taken place in the industry for the last three decades. Further, PSBs are restricted by the apex regulator to go for adequate recruitment, which is the need of the hour. Under the stated circumstances, this decision will definitely compel the officers at branches to work for extended hours. We have been given to understand that some banks have already issued instructions to all the branches to work for extended hours to facilitate RTGS transactions as per the revised schedule.

d. There are thousands of branches which have only one officer, with skeleton staff. Presently, they are unable to cope up with the prevailing situation. Revision of timings, engaging the personnel for routine transactions, beyond office hours will further deteriorate working environment.

e. Despite our persisting demands, neither the Indian Banks‟ Association, being an Association of Banks nor the

Government has initiated necessary steps to recruit the staff and officers commensurating with the ground-level requirement. This has caused the officers to work beyond office hours, on week-ends and holidays. The morale of the officers of the Bank perhaps is at the nadir. This has been affecting the social fabric within the families of the Bank Officers in addition to increasing life-style diseases.

3. Sir, you are well aware that most of the transactions like RTGS/NEFT, beyond reasonable office hours emanate from corporate and institutional customers. Keeping in view the pace of present day multi-mode techno-banking, availability of robust and wide-spread internet banking facility, revised timings may please be extended ONLY TO ONLINE TRASACTIONS through Internet Banking facilities, where customer initiate the transactions via Straight Through Process (STP), without involving personnel/counter work at the Branches. For the same reason, we also request you to revise the instructions that NEFT transactions beyond office hours shall be only through Internet/Online Banking mode and not across the counter. This will not only meet the intention of revised instructions,


but will also popularize usage of alternate channels. 4. We urge upon your good office to revise instructions restricting extension of time only to transactions conducted through on-line/internet banking mode.

With best regards,

Yours sincerely, Sd/- General Secretary The Deputy Managing Director & CDO State Bank of India Corporate Centre Mumbai – 400 021. Dear Sir,

6.6.2019 Anomalies in Promotion for the year 2019-20 Specialist cadre officers (Field officer –Agri/Fi) We invite your attention to the anomalies observed in the promotion of Field Officer- Agri/FI of Thiruvanthapuram from MMGS-II to MMGS-III. The summary of promotions (2019-20) in specialist cadre from MM-II to MM-III of Thiruvananthapuram Circle is appended.

Designation

Zone of selection

Selected

Percentage

FO(Agri/FI)

29 1 3

CRO(PB) 14 8 57

Systems 4 3 75

Law 3 2 67

Rajbhasa 1 1 100

FSTO 1 1 100

The above statistics reveal that 28 officers had qualified in the written test and appeared for interview, but only one among them has been promoted to MMGS III scale. The very fact that only 1 out of 29 candidates was selected is simply inexplicable and cannot be justified by any apparent norms. The anomaly is evident more from the following comparison chart of the promotion data (2019-20) of Agri FO of Thiruvananthapuram Circle with that of the same category of officials PAN India.


Sl No

Name of Circle

ZOS Final selection

%

1 AHM 48 20 41

2 AMA 64 16 25

3 BAN 51 22 43

4 BHO 70 37 52

5 BHU 68 24 35

6 CHA 38 19 50

7 CHE 96 31 32

8 DEL 29 11 37

9 GUW 38 14 36

10 HYD 26 7 26

11 JAI 28 7 25

12 KOL 53 20 37

13 LUK 40 13 32

14 MHA 103 41 39

15 MMR 2 1 50

in PAT 37 10 27

17 THI 29 1 3

It is pertinent to mention here that most of the specialist cadre officers viz., FO (Agri/Fi) and CRO(PB) are handling jobs and roles similar to any other officer in our Bank due to the exigencies arising at the operating centres. The “specialist cadre “ does not apply in the real sense of the term as they have been utilized for doing similar work of general cadre officers on relief measures with equal risks and responsibilities in the same branch as well as on deputation to other offices. But when it comes to promotions, their contribution and their ability to discharge the role of general cadre officers at the branches effectively are not given due cognizance, which is not a

healthy and congenial atmosphere in the Bank. We append the details of officers who had been promoted from MM-II to MM-III in Generalist cadre from Thiruvananthapuram Circle, which bear ample testimony that Field Officer-Agri/FIs have every reason to feel discriminated. Category Vacancies ZOS Selected %

Scale II to III 244 320 249 78

In view of the above, we invite your kind intervention in the matter to redress the genuine grievance of the concerned officials and ensure that they are not denied equity and justice. With regards Yours sincerely, Sd/- General Secretary


AGENDA OF CNC HELD ON 18.06.2019

Sl.NO ITEM REMARKS

PENDING ISSUES

1 Implementation of Compassionate Appointment Scheme enhancement in the cut off age from 30 years to 45 years.

Management responded that Government‟s approval is awaited. We could make impact with live examples. Bank has assured that the issue will be re-examined.

2 Conversion of RMROs/CREs/PO (RB) 2010

During the last CNC, it was informed that fresh legal opinion was being sought. We requested to expedite the conversion of these Officers in the interest of the Bank and the Officers.

A circular on relaxing service conditions in respect of PO (RB) 2010 has since been circularized.

Bank has assured to examine the issue.

3 Opening of Currency Chest Branches on 2nd& 4th Saturday/Sundays.

(Work Life Balance)

Management sought details of such instances for further action.

4 Placement of JMGS 1 officers in scale II be restored

It was assured that the issue will be examined in consultation with the STU for introducing some assessment mechanism for JMGS I promotees.

Bank responded that the matter will be looked into.

5 Revision in Ceiling of Furniture entitlement and revision in reimbursement of 4-in-1, entertainment and briefcase.

Management responded that issue will be examined and taken forward after announcement of financial results for quarter ending June 19.

6 Revision of ceiling of mobile handset.

7 Cross Selling: Issues We had escalated issues to the Hon. Chairman vide letter No. 6180/14/19. It was assured during the last CNC that a new policy is being framed in this regard.


DMD indicated that the performance is not reckoned only on the basis of CS, but along with other parameters.

We insisted that reward should be credited to branch commission account and not to individuals. The matter will be further examined.

8 Notice for vacation of staff quarters & letter for recovery of Commercial rent issued by GITC to officers of e-ABSs posted in Mumbai

Officers were permitted to time up to 30.06.2019. However, we had requested a Policy at par with Mumbai LHO and Corporate Centre. Since these officers were allotted quarters by eABs prior to merger and all the quarters at NRI complex Seawood have been taken over by GITC, these officers be permitted to continue at the present accommodation till their posting in Mumbai agglomeration. Such arrangements already exist for Officers working in GITC and staying in quarter allotted by LHO Mumbai/transferred to LHO Mumbai post-merger of eABS.

Management informed us that this will be examined again in consultation with all concerned.

9 Individual Housing Loan: Group Insurance Policy – Coverage of employees who were sanctioned IHL prior to 01.10.2014.

Issue was presented, and discussed with substantiated logic that the balance in respect of such loans is a fraction of total outstanding. Management assured us that the issue will be examined positively while renewing the policy.

10 Enhancement of lease rentals and special consideration for Delhi/Jaipur and Hyderabad/ Amravati

The recommendations were called for from the Circles. However, there is no forward movement on the issue. Despite repeated assurances, even, the issue of Delhi/Jaipur/Amravati/Hyderabad emerging out of merger of eABs has not been addressed for over two years resulting in officers being out of pocket by huge amounts.

Management responded that the issue will be looked into and that the revision scheme is being considered.


11 Payment of Compensation to E-Associate Bank Officers for the period of demonetization and refund the recoveries of compensation already paid

Issue was presented again and kept alive. It was driven home that it is matter of equity and justice and fair treatment to eABs. Will be taken forward.

12 Improvement of superannuation scheme: Improvement in commutation formula 50 % of the last drawn pay as pension without limit. Improvement in family pension

The issue is pending since long. We urged upon the Bank to take up the matter seriously. Management has informed that it is making efforts and was a subject matter of discussion during the visit of Chairman to Finance Minister. The issue will be followed up

NEW ISSUES

1 Inclusion of National Institute of Design in the elite institute for Scholarship.

Management has agreed to include the same.

2 Anomalies in the Promotion of Field Officer (Agri/FI)/RMRO of Thiruvananthapuram Circle

Management assured that the issue will be examined and suitable steps will be taken during next year.

3 Movement of MMGS III, IV & V Officers between Mumbai Metro &

Maharashtra Circles. Such transfers not to treated as ICT.

Management responded that the both Circles have been advised on this. Transfers would be carried out in consultation with each other, on the lines of inter-AO transfers.

4 Anomalies in ICT orders issued during 2019/-20& ICT of System officers/Specialist cadre

Management assured us to examine the issue.

5 Pending repatriation of SMGS IV & V OFFICERS who have completed more than three years

We informed that a large number of SMGS IV & V Officers who were posted to other Circles viz. Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Kolkata on promotions/administrative transfers and have completed more than three years stay, their request for repatriation recorded on the Portal has not been considered. Some of these officers have reportedly completed more than 4 years in the present Circle. A number of officers from eABs have also not been considered.

Manager assured to examine the issue.


6 Consideration of enhancement of Insurance coverage under „Sampoorna Suraksha‟ to 25 lakh for Officer upto Scale-III and appropriate enhancement for other grades

Management assured us that this will be kept in mind while renewing the policy next.

7 Consideration of Improvement of IHLS. Increase in the tenure of construction from 2 years to 5 years under „Realty‟ scheme.

Management assured to examine favourably.

8 Transfer of Officers of Delhi Circle posted in Jaipur circle on Inter Module Transfer Policy before merger of eABS. Payment of transfer allowances to officers repatriated from Jaipur Circle to Delhi Circle. The same issues are likely to be cropped up during the movement of officers from Mumbai Metro to Maharashtra and vice-versa.

Management informed us that communication has already been sent to concerned, addressing the issue.

9 Recruitment of Local candidates as Medical Officers. LHOs to be accorded the authority to recruit local medical officers and pharmacists.

Management has informed us that LHOs have been permitted to carry out centre-wise recruitment.

10 Problems related to visually impaired officers

Management has assured us to examine the issue.

11 Unfilled vacancies of JMGS 1 & high number of Single Officer Branches.

We informed that as against the sanctioned JMGS I vacancies of 8153, only 2473 candidates have been promoted. This leaves the 76 % of the vacancies unfilled. This will ultimately result in increase in the number of Single Officer Branches, which have already reported a phenomenal growth over the years and the ill effects on CDS Scoring, relief etc.

Management has assured us to look into the issue.

12 CDS related issues Feedback received from the officers will be shared with the Bank.


13 Consideration of enhancement of ceiling of own contribution to PF from additional 15% to 25%

Management has responded that the issue has to be looked into from the perspective of fund management

14 Long pending Suspension cases & high number of disciplinary proceedings in Patna and a few other circles.

Management informed that necessary instructions have been issued to LHOs.

15 Violation of Delegation of Financial powers by Circles/Sanction of Gold Loan by Service Managers.

We informed that service Managers are instructed to sanction Gold Loan against the laid down instructions. It is also reported that changes to this extent have been carried out in CBS. It is further reported that Controllers force the violations in the delegation of financial powers approved by CHRC/CMC.

Management assured us to look into the issue.

16 Felicitation of retirees on attaining 70 years of age- Milestone Award

Management appreciated the initiative and assured us to examine the same.

17 Sharing of Bio Metric Data of staff Management has assured to look into the agreements signed with vendor and the matter will be referred to legal opinion.

18 Recommendations for Non-workmen /Officer on the Board of the Bank.

Management informed that it is under process.

19 Mandate upto Scale VII to IBA There was no specific response.


Officer’s Retirements July - 2019 (JAIPUR CIRCLE)

S/Shree Place of Posting Designation

Shiv Kumar Gupta RBO-6,Churu Chief Manager

Devesh Gangal RBO-3, Jaipur Chief Manager

Yogesh Kumar Jain RBO-1, Udaipur Chief Manager

Umesh Kumar Saxena RBO-1, Kota Chief Manager

Kanhaya Lal Pandey Bundi By-Pass Rd. Manager

Devkaran Singh Bera RBO-3, Jodhpur Manager(S)

Nathu Ram Besarwaria KEd (Distt. Jhunjhunu) Manager

Shankar Lal Jat Srimadhopur Manager

Brijesh Kumar Varshneya

Public Relations Dept., LHO Manager

Dharam Pal AML/CFT, Jaipur Manager

Badri Prasad Mathur Punayata Ind. Area Manager

Devi Narayan Kumawat

Chand Pole Bazar, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Prahlad Dutt Sharma RBO-2, Alwar Deputy Manager

Parminder Kaur RBO-1, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Naresh Kumar Jain MCB, Chetak Circle, Udaipur Deputy Manager

Swarn Singh Misson RBO-3, Sriganganagar Deputy Manager

Ibrahim Khan Nawalgarh Deputy Manager


S/Shree Place of Posting Designation

Suresh Chandra Khandelwal

C Scheme, Jaipur

Deputy Manager

Uttam Prakash Jain RBO-1, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Jagannath Meena L C P C, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Ram Lal Goyal CPPC, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Madan Lal Rathore Collectorate, Jaipur Deputy Manager

Sushma Jain Falna Deputy Manager

Nathu Lal Jain Mewar Ind. Area, Udaipur Assistant Manager

Snehlata Maheshwari Harnawada Shahj Assistant Manager

Dinesh Chandra Sharma Collectorate, Jaipur Assistant Manager

Veda Ram Garg Panchala Assistant Manager

SBIOA Jaipur Circle

wishes a very happy, healthy and peaceful and contended retired life

to all the officer’s retiring from the Bank’s service.


SBIOA JAIPUR CIRCLE MOBILE APP:

The app is available in ‘Google Play Store’ and ‘Apple app store’ in the name of SBIOA Jaipur Circle. Please download and login the app using your PF No. as ID and give Mobile number registered with HRMS and then insert the OTP received on your mobile.

Published on behalf of State Bank of India Officer’s Association, Jaipur Circle by Ramavtar Sigh Jakhar – President and Vinay Kumar Bhalla-General Secretary

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.sbioajaipur.org

mailto:[email protected]

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