(JCC MÈETING ON 24 SEPT 2014)
airrbea1@rediffmail.com,
airrbea1@yahoo.com
Phone 033 - 25734176
Fax No.033-2573 3252
Mobile 9831233798 / 9434007694
All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association
(A Coordinating Body of National Federation of RRB
Officers & National Federation of RRB Employees)
Adviser: Ajit Kumar Ghosh
GOLDERS GREEN
President: C. Rajeevan
Ground Floor F-G Block
Secretary General: A. Sayeed Khan
1 Nazrul Islam Avenue (VIP ROAD)
Kaikhali Kolkata â700 052
Date: - 19-09-2014
JCC (Joint Consultative Council) â 4th Meeting â convened
on 24-09-2014 at HO, NABARD, Mumbai.
Note on the agenda items forwarded by NABARD along with
some added items with our comments
Ref: - NABARD letter no. No.NB.IDD.RRCBD/758/JCC
(IV)/2014-15 dated 08-09-2014 addressed to GS,
all National Level Unions/Associations, signed by Sri A
Rama Krishna, DGM, NABARD.
Our views on agenda items â
1. Confirmation of minutes of the last meeting held
on 1st February, 2011 â No Comment.
2. Action taken on previous meetings â
(i) Transfer of Scale IV and Scale V officers from one
RRB to another, sponsored by the same Bank as per proviso
74 (2) of Staff Service Regulations, 2010 â forwarded by
NABARD to GOI on 05th August. 2013 on the basis of the
suggestion of the Sub â Committee of the JCC â
Here it may be noted that each RRB is an independent
statutory body and so no officer can be transferred from
one institution to another. However considering the need
and suitability Scale IV and Scale V officers (for the
present) can be sent on deputation from one RRB to
another, with the consent of the officer and providing
with all the benefits of deputation to such officers.
By this time many scale IV officers have become eligible
to be promoted to Scale V posts, eligible for posting as
in - charge of bigger branches with growth of business
attaining status level of Scale V. In such case the
General Manager of the RRB must be of the level of
minimum Scale V.
Corresponding status of RO and HO in such cases are to be
upgraded as per Thorat Committee norms with growth of
business and higher categorization of branches.
It should be cleared immediately for implementation
besides providing for promotion of officers up to Scale
VI in RRBs in view of the growth of business resulting in
branches now having business level of Scale V criterion
in many RRBs.
(ii) Payment of Gratuity to officers â Officers getting
less amount than Group B employees â NABARD sent its
views to GOI vide its letter dated 09-07-2012 â
Here we should look to the definition of âPayâ vide Para
2 (m) of Staff Service Regulations, 2010 wherein the
definition of âPayâ, if properly read, it will be clear
that Pay means Basic Pay which includes part of the
emoluments which may specifically be classified under
these Regulations.
Now Regulation 2(i) gives the definition of âemolumentsâ
which means the aggregate of Salary and Allowances.
Further as per Regulation 2(o), âSalaryâ means aggregate
of Pay and Dearness Allowance.
So there should be no confusion that Gratuity is to be
calculated for officers also on the basis of Basic Pay,
DA and other Allowances as admissible to workman staff.
(iii) Pension and PF to RRB staff in line with Sponsor
Bank â
though the matter is sub-judice and pending before the
Honâble Supreme Court, it may be noted that the issue can
be settled by withdrawal of the SLP by the DFS, MOF, GOI
in view of the fact that Honâble Finance Minister
approved, long back on 20-06-2012 âin principleâ Parity
of Pension in line with the scheme implemented in Banking
Industry in terms of settlement dated 29-10-1993.
(iv) Group B/Group C employees who have completed 20
years of service in the same cadre should be promoted to
next higher cadre as one time measure. Graduate messenger
should be allowed automatic promotion to Clerical Cadre
as done in Sponsor Banks (as already recommended by SBI
and Syndicate Bank to NABARD) to RRB staff -
NABARD referred the issue to GOI vide its letter dated
22-03-2011 â
This was recommended by the Karmakar Committee also.
This should be immediately implemented with to give
incentive to the RRB staff for their dedicated service in
the remote areas of the country.
(v) Messenger/sweepers working on daily wages/casual for
long period may be regularized by absorbing against the
vacancies of Office Attendant â
NABARD referred this to GOI vide its letter dated 22-03-
2011.
In the meeting of 22-11-2013 at HO, NABARD, Mumbai where
representatives of the GOI, NABARD, Sponsor Banks and RRB
associations/unions were present, it was decided that
steps will be taken by NABARD to seek the information of
part time/casual workers and RRBs will be advised to
ensure providing minimum wages, taking into account all
working days as days of work, PF deduction and other
facilities as per law of the land, pending their phase-
wise regularization in the post of Msessengers/Office
Attendants in respective Banks.
(vi) Uniformity in other allowances and benefits as per
Bipartite Settlement â
As per GOI order vide letter F.No.8/3/2010-RRB dated 24-
07-2010 it was clarified that pay and other allowances of
RRBs would be equal to the corresponding categories of
employees in Sponsor Banks. It may be noted that further
advice of delegation of power to Sponsor Banks to grant
other allowances and benefits is not only unlawful but
also responsible for wide range of disparities in
allowances and benefits in various Gramin Banks sponsored
by different Banks.
Even if sponsor Banks are authorized to decide the
allowances, benefits, loans etc. to be extended to RRBs,
they should be advised to follow the principle of parity
in tune with the NIT award to avoid serious anomalies as
detected in amalgamated RRBs.
Benefits must be the same/at par with those in Sponsor
Banks.
(vii) Sanction of Computer Increment to RRB staff â
GOI letter no. F.No.3/2/2011-RRB dated 28-03-2013
prohibiting RRBs to release computer increment was not
only out of relevance rather it was against the orders of
the Honâble High Courts in Karnataka and Bihar. Already
nearly 50% of RRBs have been paying Computer Increment
either under Court order or otherwise.
So any delay in releasing the Computer Increment for all,
disparity of total wages will continue in contravention
of the NIT Award and the Orders of the Honâble Supreme
Court/High Courts.
(viii) Posts in RRBs â In terms of NIT Award and the
orders of the Honâble Supreme Court, posts in RRBs should
be at the comparable level with that of Sponsor Bank.
Hence the posts of Office Assistant (M) and Office
Attendant (M) should be changed accordingly.
(ix) Categorization norms of Branches as per Thorat
Committee - all RRBs should uniformly follow the Thorat
Committee norms as circulated vide NABARD letter dated
12-09-2008 to provide staff at the minimum level, till
new norms are put in place.
(x) Old vacancies with old rules â filling up of old
vacancies as per old rules of 1998 is the direction of
the Court. Vacancies arising after 13-07-2010 i.e.
vacancies as on 31-03-2011 onwards should be filled up by
new Rules.
(xi) Relaxation of Age/Qualification of in-service
candidates to the extent of period of service rendered by
the incumbent in case of new recruitment, to ensure
career progression â
NABARD referred the issue to GOI on 22-03-2011 â
In case of promotion, eligibility criteria for promotion
to higher post should be at par with those in Commercial
Banks so that attrition rate in RRB sector can be checked
to some extent.
(xii) Accommodation facility and payment of Special
allowance to RRB staff in remote and difficult areas â
this has been referred by NABARD to GOI vide their letter
dated 08-07-2010 â
Leased House Accommodation facility has not yet been
extended to many RRBs causing a huge amount of salary
being spent for rented house only, HRA receivable being a
very small amount compared to the rent payable in these
hard days. With the drastic increase in the House Rent
rates in the area of operation of amalgamated RRBs, this
requires to be settled at the earliest.
(xiii) Sabbatical leave and leave for Hysterectomy to
women employees â
Sabbatical leave is recommended by the sub-committee but
there is no such recommendation regarding leave for
Hysterectomy on the plea that there is no such provision
in the Service Rules, 2010. Both the issues are very
important and urgent for the women employees not only in
commercial banks but also in RRBs in the same way.
(xiv) Grant of Special Leave to office bearers of Trade
Unions to attend JCC, and also to attend Trade Union
works at par with practice in Banking Industry â As per
deliberations of JCC meeting dated 26-05-2010, NABARD
vide its letter dated 14-10-2011 suggested for 2 days of
special leave to those attending JCC meeting.
This is not enough. It should be the actual number of
days required for to & fro journey for this purpose.
Secondly, there exist exhaustive norms regulating special
leave to office bearers of Trade Unions of various levels
of TUs functioning in the Banking Industry. We therefore
suggest that same benefit should be extended to RRB
sector too.
(xv) Workers participation in management â appointment of
Workmen / Officer Directors in the Board of Directors in
RRB â
NABARD referred this issue to GOI vide their letter dated
15-04-2011. This should be finalized at the earliest.
3. New Issues â
(i) Air Travel facilities for Scale I officers while
availing LFC - This should be allowed as done in case of
sponsor banks/Banking Industry
(ii) Leased accommodation must be provided to officers on
the lines of Commercial Banks. The compensation on
transfer/transport of personal effects should be same as
in commercial Banks.
(iii) Interest rate of staff loans at par with
Nationalized Banks.
(iv) Staff Welfare Scheme in line with Sponsor Banks.
(v) Continuing the scheme for appointments on
compassionate grounds in RRBs as being done in case of
other commercial banks â GOI order dated 07-08-2014 to
IBA.
(vi) Posting of Senior Scale IV officers of RRBs as GM in
case of small RRBs. In bigger RRB, Scale V/VI officers
may be posted taking them from other RRBs on deputation.
Posts up to Scale VI should be allowed to be filled up by
promotion on the ground that branches in many RRBs have
reached the business level of Scale V. This requires
provision of GM of minimum level of Scale V, and Chairman
of minimum level of VI.
(vii) Leave Encashment to the employee/officer who
resigns from the service after completion 20 years of
service â It should be allowed as per norms in Banking
Industry.
This should be extended in line with the practice
followed in Commercial Banks.
(viii) Issues relating Voluntary Retirement for Officers
and other staff of RRBs.
Treatment should be same as that prevailing in Banking
Industry.
(ix) Introduction of in cadre promotion i.e.
senior/special assistant and Head Messenger etc.
Determination of minimum qualifying marks in all written
and interviews for promotional examinations may be
relaxed
This should be introduced in line with the practice
followed in commercial banks.
(x) RRB Staff Service Regulation, Recruitment cum
Promotion Rules at par with Sponsor Bank. This will
minimize the disputes and hazards of interpretation etc.
(xi) Graduation Increment to Office Assistant
(Multipurpose) - Same norm should be followed as in case
of commercial banks.
(xii) Ex â Serviceman â Service Seniority for Promotion â
Our letter to GOI dated 06-08-2014 addressed to the
Deputy Secretary may please be referred to. This should
be allowed at par with Sponsor Bank norms.
(xiii) Rigour Period in Promotion â NABARDâs letter dated
11-09-2014 â Our letter to GOI dated 13-09-2014.
(xiv) Staff Loan â All staff loans to be at par with
Sponsor Bank.
(xv) Continuity of service to those who joins higher post
in same bank - This should be allowed to render natural
justice to the employees as there is a very limited scope
of promotion.
(xvi) Posting of employees with differently abled
dependents â GOI order dated 28-07-2014 should be
implemented in RRBs too.
(xvii) Transfer of female employees minimizing their
hardship â GOI order dated 08-08-2014 addressed to
PSBs/SBI/IDBIs may please be implemented in RRBs.
(xviii) Relaxed number of years of service for promotion
in PSBs vide GOI order dated 14-03-2012/05-12-2011 may be
implemented in RRB sector at the earliest.
(xix) Age relaxation to ex-servicemen in PSBs for
promotion to higher cadre â GOI order 05-09-2013 â this
should also be made applicable to RRBs.
(xx) Minor Penalty charge sheets â keeping promotion held
up â fixing of time to conclude the proceedings â our
letter to Deputy Secretary, GOI dated 11-07-2014.
Submitted to the Chief General Manager (IDD), NABARD â
HO, Mumbai, on behalf of NFRRBE and NFRRBO.
(A Sayeed Khan)
Secretary General
nfrrbo@yahoo.com
National Federation of RRB Officers
(0fficers wing of AIRRBEA)
Plot: 48, Road- 6, Filmnagar, Jubileehills, Hyderabad -
500096
(Central Office: Golders Green, 1, Nazrul Islam Avenue,
VIP Road, Kaikhali, Kolkata -700052)
Phone /Fax- 040-23546594, M- 094404 83274 :: Central
Office - 033-25734176, F-25733252
President: Sagun Shukla * Gen. Sec: S.Venkateswar Reddy
Date: 20.09.2014
To,
The Chief General Manager, IDD
& Convenor, JCC
NABARD, MUMBAI.
Dear Sir,
Fourth J.C.C. meeting convened on 24.9.2013 â issues for
discussion
We are thankful for the initiative of the present
Chairman, NABARD for taking the initiative to resume the
functioning of JCC after a gap of over three years. We
sincerely request for convening the JCC regularly towards
an amicable working climate in RRBs at operational level.
As you are kindly aware, RRBs are passing through most
challenging and transition phase towards a greater role
in extending banking services in the rural areas. The
RRBs are undergoing a sea change - amalgamation of 196
RRBs in to large sized 56 RRBs, addition of about 5000
branches taking the total network to 19000 branch,
migration to CBS platform & rolling out IT enabled
products, expansion of customer base to over 16 crores,
remarkable increase in business / profits etc,. Even in
the ongoing race to open basic SB accounts under PMJDY,
RRBs stood first by opening 49.28 lac accounts much ahead
of SBI's 30 lac accounts as per the press release by
Secretary, DFS. RRBs have opened more than 25% of the
total accounts opened in the rural areas by all banks.
RECRUITMENT OF STAFF FROM LOCAL / AREA OF OPERATION
At the same time, large scale retirements have commenced
in the RRBs and 90% of the initial staff will be retiring
in the next 5-6 years. The recruitments have to be not
only on massive scale to meet the fast increasing
business but also retaining of those recruited is vital.
Local feel and personal touch are the hall mark of RRBs.
Adhering to the objectives and strength of RRB structure,
the recruitments as far as possible must be from the same
area of operation and it must be from the same district
particularly for the clerical and sub staff cadre. Other
wise it will be very difficult to find people working in
remote and difficult areas.
The new recruitees, mostly highly qualified and urban
oriented, are comparing the service conditions in RRBs
with that of commercial banks and apart from rural
posting, disparities in allowances / perks is the major
reason for high attrition in RRBs. Hence, we have to
bring in not only parity in all allowances and benefits
with commercial banks but also introduce âRural
Compensatory Allowanceâ in RRBs to retain the talent in
the system and to realise the objectives of RRBs.
Accommodation facility is to be provided for remote and
difficult areas.
HR MEETING CONDUCTED BY NABARD IN NOVEMBER 2013
On the basis of above GOI circular dated 8.9.2011 of DFS
that â RRBs should, as far as possible, adopt HR
practices as in the respective Sponsor Banks.â, NABARD
has conducted a meeting attended by Deputy Secretary, DFS
, select GMs of Sponsor banks, RRB Chairmen, Officials of
Nabard and representatives of Apex unions in RRBs. The
main agenda of the meeting was to bring in similarity in
Service Rules and Promotion Rules of RRBs on the lines of
Sponsor banks as far as possible.
In the above meeting it was agreed that the eligibility
service for promotions for various cadres can be reduced
by 2-3 years as in sponsor banks and also make age â
educational requirements as in sponsor banks. Since
already a year is lost, GOI may release the orders
immediately.
THE ISSUES OF REGULARIZING PART-TIME CASUAL EMPLOYEES
It was decided in the above meeting that NABARD will
collect the details of part time sub staff engaged in all
the RRBs and examine the issue to pay minimum wages /
phase wise absorption in to vacancies as per the
prevailing practice in sponsor banks. GOI may immediately
issue appropriate orders to RRBs to do justice to these
poor section working for over 10 to 15 years.
i) Pending absorption, they may be paid wages as per
minimum wages Act. PF, Bonus and all statutory provisions
must be made applicable to them.
ii) All the temporary / casual employees must be
empaneled as in commercial banks and such part-time staff
have to be considered in recruitment to office attendants
by providing age and educational relaxation to the extent
of period of service rendered by them., as in sponsor
banks.
SK MITHRA COMMITTEE REPORT ON HR ISSUES 2012
SK Mithra committee constituted by GOI has submitted its
report two years back recommending categorisation of RRBs
basing on the business - below 12000 crore / beyond 12000
crores / beyond 25000 crores and accordingly posting of
Chairmen of DGM cadre / GM cadre and above. Similarly it
was recommended to categorise the Regional Offices of
RRBs in to scale IV and V cadre basing on the business.
This will bring in professionalism and enhance the image
of RRBs in increasing the business.
Some of the gross anomalies which are urgently to be
settled are -
1). Amalgamation of RRBs â increased size Consequent to
amalgamation, the size of RRBs has increased up to 10 -
25 districts and officers are being transferred to even
1000 KMs. Leased accommodation must be provided to
Officers on the lines of commercial banks. The
compensation on transfer / transport of personal effects
should be same as in commercial banks.
2). Conveyance allowance: The cost of Petrol / Diesel has
been hiked over fifteen times in the last two years. The
officers in many RRBs are put to a great loss for not
allowing the conveyance allowance as in sponsor banks.
This is the gross discrimination to RRB officers and also
having its toll on the follow up of advances and
mobilization of business of the branches.
3). Graduation increment: Graduation increment is being
paid in all commercial banks denying it in some of the
RRBs is unjustified and is the cause of high attrition
rate in clerikal cadre. This has lead to two sets of
employees with in the same RRB, some batches of Clerks
getting it and the recent batches of clerks not . Even in
banks like SBI where graduation is minimum qualification,
the graduation increment is allowed. Hence all RRBs have
to extend the increment uniformly to remove anomalies
among the RRBs and with in same RRB.
4). Computer increment is not extended in many RRBs even
after judgments of two Hon'ble High Courts and series of
correspondence in this regard, apart from recommendations
of JCC. Any further delay attracts contempt of court
directives and It may be extended immediately to bring in
uniformity among all RRBs and with in the amalgamated
RRBs.
5). Pension Parity The matter is reported as subjudice,
but it is the GOI that has gone to Supreme Court for
appeal against the verdict of Rajasthan High Court to
extend the pension parity to RRB employees. Hence, it is
open to GOI to with draw its SLP and arrive at outof
court settlement with the apex bodies of RRB staff
instead of continuing the litigation.
6). Parity of Allowances and staff loans. Most of the
sponsor banks did not revise all the existing and
eligible allowances and staff loans as revised after the
9th bipartite settlement, even after five years of
implementation in commercial banks. Delegation of
authority to sponsor banks is root cause of all anomalies
with in the same amalgamated RRB, among the RRBs and
disparities with that of industry. GOI it self may extend
entire bipartite along with allowances in the settlement
uniformly to all the RRBs to end gross anomalies, large
scale unrest and court cases.
7) Transfer Protections to Women staff, Physically
challenged staff & Employees having Children with
disabilities The same facility as extended to PSU banks
may be extended in RRBs also.
8). NABARD had moved GOI vide its letter no. 2244 dated
22.03.2011 to consider the following issues as per
decision taken in the third meeting of the JCC. The fate
of this letter addressed to GOI is still not known to us.
(available to us through R.T.I.)
a) Extending automatic promotion to employee completing
20 years of service on once in service period basis.
9) JCC should recommend the following benefits at par
with Sponsor Banks as recently extended by IBA and GOI.,
a. Circular No. 2998 / 25-4-2011 : Fitment formula on
promotion from Clerical to Officer cadre on or after 1-
11-2007
b. Circular No. 2997 / 25-4-2011 : Fitment formula on
promotion from Subordinate to Clerical cadre on or after
1-11-2007
c. Circular No. 3004 / 25-4-2011 : Reimbursement of TA/DA
to serving employees/Ex-employees for attending
departmental enquiries /court cases,, etc. as
prosecution/management witness
d. Circular No. 3005 / 25-4-2011 : Reimbursement of
hospitalization expenses to Award staff / officers and
clearance of the Bills by the Bankâs doctor.
6. Following orders of G.O.I. Issued to all Public Sector
Banks, have to be implemented by RRBs:-
a) Govt. order No. F.No.9/20/2011-IR dt, the February
28th, 2012 - Grant of Sabbatical leave of 2 years to the
women employees of PSBs to meet their special problem
during their career
b) Govt. order No. F.NO. 14/7/92-IR (Vol- II) dt. 24th
Feb, 2012 - Staff Welfare Funds in Public Sector Banks â
Regarding. GOI/NABARD may be requested to introduce
âStaff Welfare Schemesâ in line with Sponsor Banks in
terms of Govt. order to IBA /all PSB subject to maximum
of 3% of net profit.
8) Continuing the service of existing employees recruited
in higher cadres in same RRB The benefit of service for
the purpose of gratuity, pension, availing staff loans,
LFC block etc, is available in commercial banks and in
some of the RRBs also. Let the same be implemented in all
RRBs uniformly instead of calling for opinions from
different RRBs.
a) Functioning of JCC As per the constitution of JCC, It
is the Negotiating Forum for RRBs like IBA for commercial
banks, with all seriousness and obligations.
Representation / Leave Rules etc. to National Level TU /
Association must be in line with Unions of NCB as granted
by IBA . Apart from leaves for attending the IBA
meetings, Special Casual Leaves are extended to all the
national level leaders of apex associations / unions in
commercial banks. There must be appropriate Manpower to
form âJCC Secretariatâ. JCC must have regular meetings,
minimum twice a year and more if required as discussed in
the meetings.
11) 10 th Bipartite wage negotiations are in progress
between the representatives of UFBU and IBA. The
settlement to be signed must be extended in RRBs
immediately along with all allowance part of the
settlement, as per the directions of Supreme Court dated
31.1.2001. GOI should not delegate the different sponsor
banks to decide the allowances as in the past , which is
the root cause of entire industrial unrest in the RRBs.
This has resulted in serious anomalies with in
amalgamated RRB , among RRBs and also with that of
commercial banks.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
(S.VENKATESWAR REDDY)
General Secretary
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airrbea1@rediffmail.com,
airrbea1@yahoo.com
Phone 033 - 25734176
Fax No.033-2573 3252
Mobile 9831233798 / 9434007694
All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association
(A Coordinating Body of National Federation of RRB
Officers & National Federation of RRB Employees)
Adviser: Ajit Kumar Ghosh
GOLDERS GREEN
President: C. Rajeevan
Ground Floor F-G Block
Secretary General: A. Sayeed Khan
1 Nazrul Islam Avenue (VIP ROAD)
Kaikhali Kolkata â700 052
Date: - 19-09-2014
JCC (Joint Consultative Council) â 4th Meeting â convened
on 24-09-2014 at HO, NABARD, Mumbai.
Note on the agenda items forwarded by NABARD along with
some added items with our comments
Ref: - NABARD letter no. No.NB.IDD.RRCBD/758/JCC
(IV)/2014-15 dated 08-09-2014 addressed to GS,
all National Level Unions/Associations, signed by Sri A
Rama Krishna, DGM, NABARD.
Our views on agenda items â
1. Confirmation of minutes of the last meeting held
on 1st February, 2011 â No Comment.
2. Action taken on previous meetings â
(i) Transfer of Scale IV and Scale V officers from one
RRB to another, sponsored by the same Bank as per proviso
74 (2) of Staff Service Regulations, 2010 â forwarded by
NABARD to GOI on 05th August. 2013 on the basis of the
suggestion of the Sub â Committee of the JCC â
Here it may be noted that each RRB is an independent
statutory body and so no officer can be transferred from
one institution to another. However considering the need
and suitability Scale IV and Scale V officers (for the
present) can be sent on deputation from one RRB to
another, with the consent of the officer and providing
with all the benefits of deputation to such officers.
By this time many scale IV officers have become eligible
to be promoted to Scale V posts, eligible for posting as
in - charge of bigger branches with growth of business
attaining status level of Scale V. In such case the
General Manager of the RRB must be of the level of
minimum Scale V.
Corresponding status of RO and HO in such cases are to be
upgraded as per Thorat Committee norms with growth of
business and higher categorization of branches.
It should be cleared immediately for implementation
besides providing for promotion of officers up to Scale
VI in RRBs in view of the growth of business resulting in
branches now having business level of Scale V criterion
in many RRBs.
(ii) Payment of Gratuity to officers â Officers getting
less amount than Group B employees â NABARD sent its
views to GOI vide its letter dated 09-07-2012 â
Here we should look to the definition of âPayâ vide Para
2 (m) of Staff Service Regulations, 2010 wherein the
definition of âPayâ, if properly read, it will be clear
that Pay means Basic Pay which includes part of the
emoluments which may specifically be classified under
these Regulations.
Now Regulation 2(i) gives the definition of âemolumentsâ
which means the aggregate of Salary and Allowances.
Further as per Regulation 2(o), âSalaryâ means aggregate
of Pay and Dearness Allowance.
So there should be no confusion that Gratuity is to be
calculated for officers also on the basis of Basic Pay,
DA and other Allowances as admissible to workman staff.
(iii) Pension and PF to RRB staff in line with Sponsor
Bank â
though the matter is sub-judice and pending before the
Honâble Supreme Court, it may be noted that the issue can
be settled by withdrawal of the SLP by the DFS, MOF, GOI
in view of the fact that Honâble Finance Minister
approved, long back on 20-06-2012 âin principleâ Parity
of Pension in line with the scheme implemented in Banking
Industry in terms of settlement dated 29-10-1993.
(iv) Group B/Group C employees who have completed 20
years of service in the same cadre should be promoted to
next higher cadre as one time measure. Graduate messenger
should be allowed automatic promotion to Clerical Cadre
as done in Sponsor Banks (as already recommended by SBI
and Syndicate Bank to NABARD) to RRB staff -
NABARD referred the issue to GOI vide its letter dated
22-03-2011 â
This was recommended by the Karmakar Committee also.
This should be immediately implemented with to give
incentive to the RRB staff for their dedicated service in
the remote areas of the country.
(v) Messenger/sweepers working on daily wages/casual for
long period may be regularized by absorbing against the
vacancies of Office Attendant â
NABARD referred this to GOI vide its letter dated 22-03-
2011.
In the meeting of 22-11-2013 at HO, NABARD, Mumbai where
representatives of the GOI, NABARD, Sponsor Banks and RRB
associations/unions were present, it was decided that
steps will be taken by NABARD to seek the information of
part time/casual workers and RRBs will be advised to
ensure providing minimum wages, taking into account all
working days as days of work, PF deduction and other
facilities as per law of the land, pending their phase-
wise regularization in the post of Msessengers/Office
Attendants in respective Banks.
(vi) Uniformity in other allowances and benefits as per
Bipartite Settlement â
As per GOI order vide letter F.No.8/3/2010-RRB dated 24-
07-2010 it was clarified that pay and other allowances of
RRBs would be equal to the corresponding categories of
employees in Sponsor Banks. It may be noted that further
advice of delegation of power to Sponsor Banks to grant
other allowances and benefits is not only unlawful but
also responsible for wide range of disparities in
allowances and benefits in various Gramin Banks sponsored
by different Banks.
Even if sponsor Banks are authorized to decide the
allowances, benefits, loans etc. to be extended to RRBs,
they should be advised to follow the principle of parity
in tune with the NIT award to avoid serious anomalies as
detected in amalgamated RRBs.
Benefits must be the same/at par with those in Sponsor
Banks.
(vii) Sanction of Computer Increment to RRB staff â
GOI letter no. F.No.3/2/2011-RRB dated 28-03-2013
prohibiting RRBs to release computer increment was not
only out of relevance rather it was against the orders of
the Honâble High Courts in Karnataka and Bihar. Already
nearly 50% of RRBs have been paying Computer Increment
either under Court order or otherwise.
So any delay in releasing the Computer Increment for all,
disparity of total wages will continue in contravention
of the NIT Award and the Orders of the Honâble Supreme
Court/High Courts.
(viii) Posts in RRBs â In terms of NIT Award and the
orders of the Honâble Supreme Court, posts in RRBs should
be at the comparable level with that of Sponsor Bank.
Hence the posts of Office Assistant (M) and Office
Attendant (M) should be changed accordingly.
(ix) Categorization norms of Branches as per Thorat
Committee - all RRBs should uniformly follow the Thorat
Committee norms as circulated vide NABARD letter dated
12-09-2008 to provide staff at the minimum level, till
new norms are put in place.
(x) Old vacancies with old rules â filling up of old
vacancies as per old rules of 1998 is the direction of
the Court. Vacancies arising after 13-07-2010 i.e.
vacancies as on 31-03-2011 onwards should be filled up by
new Rules.
(xi) Relaxation of Age/Qualification of in-service
candidates to the extent of period of service rendered by
the incumbent in case of new recruitment, to ensure
career progression â
NABARD referred the issue to GOI on 22-03-2011 â
In case of promotion, eligibility criteria for promotion
to higher post should be at par with those in Commercial
Banks so that attrition rate in RRB sector can be checked
to some extent.
(xii) Accommodation facility and payment of Special
allowance to RRB staff in remote and difficult areas â
this has been referred by NABARD to GOI vide their letter
dated 08-07-2010 â
Leased House Accommodation facility has not yet been
extended to many RRBs causing a huge amount of salary
being spent for rented house only, HRA receivable being a
very small amount compared to the rent payable in these
hard days. With the drastic increase in the House Rent
rates in the area of operation of amalgamated RRBs, this
requires to be settled at the earliest.
(xiii) Sabbatical leave and leave for Hysterectomy to
women employees â
Sabbatical leave is recommended by the sub-committee but
there is no such recommendation regarding leave for
Hysterectomy on the plea that there is no such provision
in the Service Rules, 2010. Both the issues are very
important and urgent for the women employees not only in
commercial banks but also in RRBs in the same way.
(xiv) Grant of Special Leave to office bearers of Trade
Unions to attend JCC, and also to attend Trade Union
works at par with practice in Banking Industry â As per
deliberations of JCC meeting dated 26-05-2010, NABARD
vide its letter dated 14-10-2011 suggested for 2 days of
special leave to those attending JCC meeting.
This is not enough. It should be the actual number of
days required for to & fro journey for this purpose.
Secondly, there exist exhaustive norms regulating special
leave to office bearers of Trade Unions of various levels
of TUs functioning in the Banking Industry. We therefore
suggest that same benefit should be extended to RRB
sector too.
(xv) Workers participation in management â appointment of
Workmen / Officer Directors in the Board of Directors in
RRB â
NABARD referred this issue to GOI vide their letter dated
15-04-2011. This should be finalized at the earliest.
3. New Issues â
(i) Air Travel facilities for Scale I officers while
availing LFC - This should be allowed as done in case of
sponsor banks/Banking Industry
(ii) Leased accommodation must be provided to officers on
the lines of Commercial Banks. The compensation on
transfer/transport of personal effects should be same as
in commercial Banks.
(iii) Interest rate of staff loans at par with
Nationalized Banks.
(iv) Staff Welfare Scheme in line with Sponsor Banks.
(v) Continuing the scheme for appointments on
compassionate grounds in RRBs as being done in case of
other commercial banks â GOI order dated 07-08-2014 to
IBA.
(vi) Posting of Senior Scale IV officers of RRBs as GM in
case of small RRBs. In bigger RRB, Scale V/VI officers
may be posted taking them from other RRBs on deputation.
Posts up to Scale VI should be allowed to be filled up by
promotion on the ground that branches in many RRBs have
reached the business level of Scale V. This requires
provision of GM of minimum level of Scale V, and Chairman
of minimum level of VI.
(vii) Leave Encashment to the employee/officer who
resigns from the service after completion 20 years of
service â It should be allowed as per norms in Banking
Industry.
This should be extended in line with the practice
followed in Commercial Banks.
(viii) Issues relating Voluntary Retirement for Officers
and other staff of RRBs.
Treatment should be same as that prevailing in Banking
Industry.
(ix) Introduction of in cadre promotion i.e.
senior/special assistant and Head Messenger etc.
Determination of minimum qualifying marks in all written
and interviews for promotional examinations may be
relaxed
This should be introduced in line with the practice
followed in commercial banks.
(x) RRB Staff Service Regulation, Recruitment cum
Promotion Rules at par with Sponsor Bank. This will
minimize the disputes and hazards of interpretation etc.
(xi) Graduation Increment to Office Assistant
(Multipurpose) - Same norm should be followed as in case
of commercial banks.
(xii) Ex â Serviceman â Service Seniority for Promotion â
Our letter to GOI dated 06-08-2014 addressed to the
Deputy Secretary may please be referred to. This should
be allowed at par with Sponsor Bank norms.
(xiii) Rigour Period in Promotion â NABARDâs letter dated
11-09-2014 â Our letter to GOI dated 13-09-2014.
(xiv) Staff Loan â All staff loans to be at par with
Sponsor Bank.
(xv) Continuity of service to those who joins higher post
in same bank - This should be allowed to render natural
justice to the employees as there is a very limited scope
of promotion.
(xvi) Posting of employees with differently abled
dependents â GOI order dated 28-07-2014 should be
implemented in RRBs too.
(xvii) Transfer of female employees minimizing their
hardship â GOI order dated 08-08-2014 addressed to
PSBs/SBI/IDBIs may please be implemented in RRBs.
(xviii) Relaxed number of years of service for promotion
in PSBs vide GOI order dated 14-03-2012/05-12-2011 may be
implemented in RRB sector at the earliest.
(xix) Age relaxation to ex-servicemen in PSBs for
promotion to higher cadre â GOI order 05-09-2013 â this
should also be made applicable to RRBs.
(xx) Minor Penalty charge sheets â keeping promotion held
up â fixing of time to conclude the proceedings â our
letter to Deputy Secretary, GOI dated 11-07-2014.
Submitted to the Chief General Manager (IDD), NABARD â
HO, Mumbai, on behalf of NFRRBE and NFRRBO.
(A Sayeed Khan)
Secretary General
nfrrbo@yahoo.com
National Federation of RRB Officers
(0fficers wing of AIRRBEA)
Plot: 48, Road- 6, Filmnagar, Jubileehills, Hyderabad -
500096
(Central Office: Golders Green, 1, Nazrul Islam Avenue,
VIP Road, Kaikhali, Kolkata -700052)
Phone /Fax- 040-23546594, M- 094404 83274 :: Central
Office - 033-25734176, F-25733252
President: Sagun Shukla * Gen. Sec: S.Venkateswar Reddy
Date: 20.09.2014
To,
The Chief General Manager, IDD
& Convenor, JCC
NABARD, MUMBAI.
Dear Sir,
Fourth J.C.C. meeting convened on 24.9.2013 â issues for
discussion
We are thankful for the initiative of the present
Chairman, NABARD for taking the initiative to resume the
functioning of JCC after a gap of over three years. We
sincerely request for convening the JCC regularly towards
an amicable working climate in RRBs at operational level.
As you are kindly aware, RRBs are passing through most
challenging and transition phase towards a greater role
in extending banking services in the rural areas. The
RRBs are undergoing a sea change - amalgamation of 196
RRBs in to large sized 56 RRBs, addition of about 5000
branches taking the total network to 19000 branch,
migration to CBS platform & rolling out IT enabled
products, expansion of customer base to over 16 crores,
remarkable increase in business / profits etc,. Even in
the ongoing race to open basic SB accounts under PMJDY,
RRBs stood first by opening 49.28 lac accounts much ahead
of SBI's 30 lac accounts as per the press release by
Secretary, DFS. RRBs have opened more than 25% of the
total accounts opened in the rural areas by all banks.
RECRUITMENT OF STAFF FROM LOCAL / AREA OF OPERATION
At the same time, large scale retirements have commenced
in the RRBs and 90% of the initial staff will be retiring
in the next 5-6 years. The recruitments have to be not
only on massive scale to meet the fast increasing
business but also retaining of those recruited is vital.
Local feel and personal touch are the hall mark of RRBs.
Adhering to the objectives and strength of RRB structure,
the recruitments as far as possible must be from the same
area of operation and it must be from the same district
particularly for the clerical and sub staff cadre. Other
wise it will be very difficult to find people working in
remote and difficult areas.
The new recruitees, mostly highly qualified and urban
oriented, are comparing the service conditions in RRBs
with that of commercial banks and apart from rural
posting, disparities in allowances / perks is the major
reason for high attrition in RRBs. Hence, we have to
bring in not only parity in all allowances and benefits
with commercial banks but also introduce âRural
Compensatory Allowanceâ in RRBs to retain the talent in
the system and to realise the objectives of RRBs.
Accommodation facility is to be provided for remote and
difficult areas.
HR MEETING CONDUCTED BY NABARD IN NOVEMBER 2013
On the basis of above GOI circular dated 8.9.2011 of DFS
that â RRBs should, as far as possible, adopt HR
practices as in the respective Sponsor Banks.â, NABARD
has conducted a meeting attended by Deputy Secretary, DFS
, select GMs of Sponsor banks, RRB Chairmen, Officials of
Nabard and representatives of Apex unions in RRBs. The
main agenda of the meeting was to bring in similarity in
Service Rules and Promotion Rules of RRBs on the lines of
Sponsor banks as far as possible.
In the above meeting it was agreed that the eligibility
service for promotions for various cadres can be reduced
by 2-3 years as in sponsor banks and also make age â
educational requirements as in sponsor banks. Since
already a year is lost, GOI may release the orders
immediately.
THE ISSUES OF REGULARIZING PART-TIME CASUAL EMPLOYEES
It was decided in the above meeting that NABARD will
collect the details of part time sub staff engaged in all
the RRBs and examine the issue to pay minimum wages /
phase wise absorption in to vacancies as per the
prevailing practice in sponsor banks. GOI may immediately
issue appropriate orders to RRBs to do justice to these
poor section working for over 10 to 15 years.
i) Pending absorption, they may be paid wages as per
minimum wages Act. PF, Bonus and all statutory provisions
must be made applicable to them.
ii) All the temporary / casual employees must be
empaneled as in commercial banks and such part-time staff
have to be considered in recruitment to office attendants
by providing age and educational relaxation to the extent
of period of service rendered by them., as in sponsor
banks.
SK MITHRA COMMITTEE REPORT ON HR ISSUES 2012
SK Mithra committee constituted by GOI has submitted its
report two years back recommending categorisation of RRBs
basing on the business - below 12000 crore / beyond 12000
crores / beyond 25000 crores and accordingly posting of
Chairmen of DGM cadre / GM cadre and above. Similarly it
was recommended to categorise the Regional Offices of
RRBs in to scale IV and V cadre basing on the business.
This will bring in professionalism and enhance the image
of RRBs in increasing the business.
Some of the gross anomalies which are urgently to be
settled are -
1). Amalgamation of RRBs â increased size Consequent to
amalgamation, the size of RRBs has increased up to 10 -
25 districts and officers are being transferred to even
1000 KMs. Leased accommodation must be provided to
Officers on the lines of commercial banks. The
compensation on transfer / transport of personal effects
should be same as in commercial banks.
2). Conveyance allowance: The cost of Petrol / Diesel has
been hiked over fifteen times in the last two years. The
officers in many RRBs are put to a great loss for not
allowing the conveyance allowance as in sponsor banks.
This is the gross discrimination to RRB officers and also
having its toll on the follow up of advances and
mobilization of business of the branches.
3). Graduation increment: Graduation increment is being
paid in all commercial banks denying it in some of the
RRBs is unjustified and is the cause of high attrition
rate in clerikal cadre. This has lead to two sets of
employees with in the same RRB, some batches of Clerks
getting it and the recent batches of clerks not . Even in
banks like SBI where graduation is minimum qualification,
the graduation increment is allowed. Hence all RRBs have
to extend the increment uniformly to remove anomalies
among the RRBs and with in same RRB.
4). Computer increment is not extended in many RRBs even
after judgments of two Hon'ble High Courts and series of
correspondence in this regard, apart from recommendations
of JCC. Any further delay attracts contempt of court
directives and It may be extended immediately to bring in
uniformity among all RRBs and with in the amalgamated
RRBs.
5). Pension Parity The matter is reported as subjudice,
but it is the GOI that has gone to Supreme Court for
appeal against the verdict of Rajasthan High Court to
extend the pension parity to RRB employees. Hence, it is
open to GOI to with draw its SLP and arrive at outof
court settlement with the apex bodies of RRB staff
instead of continuing the litigation.
6). Parity of Allowances and staff loans. Most of the
sponsor banks did not revise all the existing and
eligible allowances and staff loans as revised after the
9th bipartite settlement, even after five years of
implementation in commercial banks. Delegation of
authority to sponsor banks is root cause of all anomalies
with in the same amalgamated RRB, among the RRBs and
disparities with that of industry. GOI it self may extend
entire bipartite along with allowances in the settlement
uniformly to all the RRBs to end gross anomalies, large
scale unrest and court cases.
7) Transfer Protections to Women staff, Physically
challenged staff & Employees having Children with
disabilities The same facility as extended to PSU banks
may be extended in RRBs also.
8). NABARD had moved GOI vide its letter no. 2244 dated
22.03.2011 to consider the following issues as per
decision taken in the third meeting of the JCC. The fate
of this letter addressed to GOI is still not known to us.
(available to us through R.T.I.)
a) Extending automatic promotion to employee completing
20 years of service on once in service period basis.
9) JCC should recommend the following benefits at par
with Sponsor Banks as recently extended by IBA and GOI.,
a. Circular No. 2998 / 25-4-2011 : Fitment formula on
promotion from Clerical to Officer cadre on or after 1-
11-2007
b. Circular No. 2997 / 25-4-2011 : Fitment formula on
promotion from Subordinate to Clerical cadre on or after
1-11-2007
c. Circular No. 3004 / 25-4-2011 : Reimbursement of TA/DA
to serving employees/Ex-employees for attending
departmental enquiries /court cases,, etc. as
prosecution/management witness
d. Circular No. 3005 / 25-4-2011 : Reimbursement of
hospitalization expenses to Award staff / officers and
clearance of the Bills by the Bankâs doctor.
6. Following orders of G.O.I. Issued to all Public Sector
Banks, have to be implemented by RRBs:-
a) Govt. order No. F.No.9/20/2011-IR dt, the February
28th, 2012 - Grant of Sabbatical leave of 2 years to the
women employees of PSBs to meet their special problem
during their career
b) Govt. order No. F.NO. 14/7/92-IR (Vol- II) dt. 24th
Feb, 2012 - Staff Welfare Funds in Public Sector Banks â
Regarding. GOI/NABARD may be requested to introduce
âStaff Welfare Schemesâ in line with Sponsor Banks in
terms of Govt. order to IBA /all PSB subject to maximum
of 3% of net profit.
8) Continuing the service of existing employees recruited
in higher cadres in same RRB The benefit of service for
the purpose of gratuity, pension, availing staff loans,
LFC block etc, is available in commercial banks and in
some of the RRBs also. Let the same be implemented in all
RRBs uniformly instead of calling for opinions from
different RRBs.
a) Functioning of JCC As per the constitution of JCC, It
is the Negotiating Forum for RRBs like IBA for commercial
banks, with all seriousness and obligations.
Representation / Leave Rules etc. to National Level TU /
Association must be in line with Unions of NCB as granted
by IBA . Apart from leaves for attending the IBA
meetings, Special Casual Leaves are extended to all the
national level leaders of apex associations / unions in
commercial banks. There must be appropriate Manpower to
form âJCC Secretariatâ. JCC must have regular meetings,
minimum twice a year and more if required as discussed in
the meetings.
11) 10 th Bipartite wage negotiations are in progress
between the representatives of UFBU and IBA. The
settlement to be signed must be extended in RRBs
immediately along with all allowance part of the
settlement, as per the directions of Supreme Court dated
31.1.2001. GOI should not delegate the different sponsor
banks to decide the allowances as in the past , which is
the root cause of entire industrial unrest in the RRBs.
This has resulted in serious anomalies with in
amalgamated RRB , among RRBs and also with that of
commercial banks.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully,
(S.VENKATESWAR REDDY)
General Secretary
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