In the name of recover the loss arising out of NPAs, banks are increasing bank charges, fees, penalties etc thereby passing the burden on customers of public sector banks with malafide and bad motive of diverting them towards private banks.

The present era is an era of vicious circle for bank employees on many issues. On the one hand they are overburdened with work and responsibilities with comparatively less salary and looking forward towards Bipartite Settlement for substantial increase in salary. On the other hand, the very existence of banks in which they are working is at stake as Government is planning to merge banks. The young employees gain knowledge of merger through media and material available on net but people like me have experienced merger, have been part of agitation from 1993 to 1997 in case of ENBI -PNB merger, so we have practical knowledge. Likewise, experience of employees of erstwhile associate bank employees subsequent to merger with SBI is worth to find out what merger brings to employees. This practical knowledge is necessary to decide -whether to support Merger as blind supporter of Government or oppose it ?

Then there are issues related with NPA. In spite of direction by Hon'ble Supreme Court to disclose the name of wilful defaulters, the Government has not released these names. As a bank employee, is it not your right to know as to who is responsible for such big NPAs which has threatened the very survival of your dearest bank ? Is it not your right to know what action has been taken against those who were involved in sanctioning of these big loans on the same line Disciplinary Action is taken against aam bank officers and Employees? Why Loans given to big defaulters like Vijay Malya are being written off or else restructured by reducing rate of interest and enhancing repayment period ? Why Government is reluctant to declare wilful default as Criminal Offence ?

On the one hand, Government is showing its inability to meet capital requirements of public sector banks for business expansion, on the other hand, it is freely giving licenses to big business houses to open private banks, small banks, payment banks etc. Not only this, in order to recover the loss arising out of NPAs, banks are increasing bank charges, fees, penalties etc thereby passing the burden on customers of public sector banks with malafide and bad motive of diverting them towards private banks.

There is another vicious circle. One the one hand we need strong unions with leaders of fighting capacities to take on the challenges. On the other hand, we have weaker unions differing with each other in terms of ideologies headed by retired and tired leaders and involved in inter union rivalries.

So far we have been condemning and criticising these leaders for their surrendering and compromising attitude which is solely responsible for our present position. We are absolutely right when we condemn these leaders. But now we are at a stage to decide whether opposing leaders and non participating in agitational programmes and strikes may bring desired results ? What is more essential opposing retired and tired leaders or Government? In my considered opinion, we need to rethink and review our stand.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY KAMALESH CHATURVEDI SIR