50 Years of Regional Rural Banks: Tamil Nadu Grama Bank Unions Launch RRB Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Tamil Nadu Grama Bank unions celebrated the 50th anniversary of Regional Rural Banks in Madurai. The event honoured decades of struggles, achievements, and future aspirations for rural banking outlining future goals like NRBI formation and pension reinstatement.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: October 9, 2024
On October 6, 2024, Tamil Nadu Grama Bank’s employees, officers and retirees, led by the unions Tamil Nadu Grama Bank Officers Association (TNGBOA), Tamil Nadu Grama Bank Workers Union (TNGBWU) and Tamil Nadu Grama Bank Retirees Sangam (TNGBRS) came together in Madurai to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The event marked a significant milestone, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the rural banking sector since its inception in 1975.
The celebration was graced by several prominent leaders, including AIRRBEA Secretary General, S Venkateswara Reddy, AIRRBEA Legal Sub-Committee President Nagabhushan Rao and AIRRBEA Legal Sub-Committee Convenor K G Madanan, who delivered special addresses to the gathering.
Historical Tribute to AIRRBEA’s Role in Protecting Employee Rights
As part of the celebrations, a short film created by Madhava Raj, was screened, offering an emotional tribute to the achievements of AIRRBEA over the decades.
According to Y Ashwath, General Secretary TNGBWU, “The film vividly portrayed the struggles endured by senior comrades in securing vital employee benefits, such as the much-awaited Computer Increment and Pension, which have been realised since 1993. These hard-won gains, now enjoyed by rural bank employees, are a testament to AIRRBEA’s unwavering resolve.”
He further added, “Despite challenges and threats of privatisation and push backs from sponsor banks, AIRRBEA has emerged as a powerful force defending the rights of rural bank employees. The union has been instrumental in ensuring the implementation of the 12th Bipartite Agreement for RRBs, further enhancing the well-being of the sector’s workforce.”
The event drew a gathering of around 200 participants, including both young and retired TNGB employees. AIRRBEA’s Rajasthan unit announced year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations for RRBs starting in October, while the Assam unit set October 26 as the commencement date.
Future Goals to Accomplish
During the event, Venkateswara Reddy reaffirmed AIRRBEA's commitment to its future goals, notably the establishment of a National Rural Bank of India (NRBI) and securing permanent employment for temporary workers in rural banks. He also emphasised the need for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme for all employees, setting the tone for the union’s future endeavours and assured the leadership would remain steadfast in its mission to protect the rights of rural bank employees for better future of rural banking.
These golden jubilee celebrations, which will continue across the country over the next year, serve not only as a commemoration of past achievements but also as a source of inspiration for the challenges ahead.
No comments yet.