Gramin Bank Employees raise voice to fill 30,000 vacancies in Bank

The Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank Employees Association (UBKGBEA) recently held its 39th Annual General Meeting on March 10 in Siliguri, West Bengal. This meeting was a significant event for the association and was attended by 140 delegates. The meeting began with an open session where speakers offered congratulatory remarks and discussed important issues concerning the operations of the association.

Attendees and Key Discussions

Representatives from the two other Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in the state, Paschim Banga Gramin Bank (PBGB) and Bangiya Vikash Gramin Bank (BVGB), were present at the meeting, along with their respective chairpersons. In addition, delegates from Assam Vikash Gramin Bank (AVGB) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) also attended.

The primary objective of the meeting was to assess the current status of Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (UBKGB) and discuss the challenges it faces. One of the significant challenges highlighted was the staggering 30,000 vacancies within the bank. Another important topic of discussion was the proposed establishment of the National Rural Bank of India (NRBI).

The Significance of Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank

Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (UBKGB) is a regional rural bank that has not been amalgamated since its inception in 1977. It operates in five districts of West Bengal, namely Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong, with a total of 143 branches. The bank plays a crucial role in serving the rural population of Bengal and has established itself as a beacon of change in the region.

Commitment to Organizational Reform

During the annual general meeting, the office bearers of UBKGBEA reiterated their commitment to organizational reform. They emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by regional rural banks (RRBs) and finding ways to overcome them. This commitment reflects the association’s dedication to rural customer service and the welfare and future prosperity of its members.

Calls for Active Engagement and Reflection

Sidhharth Ghosh, General Secretary of UBKGBEA, commended the members for their enthusiastic participation in the annual general meeting. He affirmed the association’s dedication to rural customer service and advocated for the welfare and future prosperity of its members.

Venkateshwara Reddy, Secretary General of the All India Regional Rural Banks Employees Association (AIRRBEA), addressed the delegates, urging UBKGBEA’s active engagement to ensure seamless bank operations. He questioned the incongruity of RRBs struggling with numerous vacant positions and unequal treatment of their workforce, despite recent achievements such as recording a highest consolidated net profit and maintaining a high CD ratio. Mr. Reddy emphasized the unparalleled role of RRBs in serving rural India.

The Importance of the Event

Venkateshwara Reddy acknowledged the significance of the event, considering West Bengal’s importance as one of the states with one of India’s largest rural populations. He stated that the event aimed to rejuvenate the organizational presence of RRBs and amplify their collective voice. The event carried added weight due to the backdrop of resistance led by AIRRBEA, which culminated in a nationwide one-day strike in February. This strike aimed to urge the government to expedite recruitment to fill the vacant positions, establish NRBI promptly, and address other unresolved demands.