RRBs want to be de-linked

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) wants the regional rural banks (RRBs) in the country to be de-linked from the sponsor banks.

AIRRBEA general secretary Dilipkumar Mukherjee and V K Bannigol of Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank Officers’ Association have urged the government to take steps to open more branches of RRBs, recruit more people and pension benefits on par with those available to the employees of sponsor bank.

Mukherjee said RRBs were doing yeomen service in implementing the rural development and poverty alleviation programmes besides generating resources in their areas of operation.

He said the RRBs as a system had earned annual net profit of Rs 700 crore after discharging all social responsibilities.

“In order to make the system more viable and vibrant we have proposed reorganization of RRBs under a National Rural Bank of India. To ensure autonomy for these institutions we have also demanded total de-linking of RRBs from sponsor banks” he asserted.

Though the process of sponsor bankwise amalgamation of RRBs within same state has started and total number of RRBs has been reduced from 196 to 86, all the inherent difficulties and lack of functional autonomy continue to affect the effective working, he pointed out.

Mukherjee said there has been no recruitment for a long time while the volume of business has increased.

Over 3000 employees have retired over the years and the vacant posts need to be filled up.

The AIRREA has demanded a need based manpower policy to be adopted.

Another demand is payment of pension and retirement on par with those of the employees in sponsor banks.

The National Industrial Tribunal and Supreme Court have issued orders to this effect, Mukherjeepointed out.