Letters: Avoid complacency

With reference to the editorial, "Seven steps forward" (August 17), an institutional mechanism for tackling non-performing assets (NPA) of public sector banks (PSB) is in existence. These are the asset reconstruction companies (ARC). But this arrangement has made lenders complacent in their recovery efforts. If the government or the Reserve Bank of India strengthens this mechanism, it will add to the complacency.

The government had started inducting private sector professionals into some PSBs, but Financial Services Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, in his interview to this newspaper (August 17), has stated that top posts in PSBs would now be filled from the existing pool of executive directors in those banks.

The government had earlier advertised for the posts of CEOs. Nothing prevented EDs from applying for those posts. In the same way, the government should continue advertising for future vacancies where existing EDs may also apply. If their track record is good, they will be automatically eligible for elevation, else private sector professionals can replace them.

Regarding the attrition of employees in PSBs, only the good ones leave these banks. The remaining employees get elevated, adding to problems for the management of the PSBs.

K V Rao Bengaluru

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