Public Sector Bank Employee Resigns From Service Citing Shortage of Staff Strength

In a startling development, Rajni Prakash, branch head of the Central Bank of India in Bihar, resigned from his position on November 3, shedding light on the troubling state of public sector banks. Prakash's resignation, listing several grievances, reveals a growing trend of bank officials departing their roles due to worsening working conditions.

In his resignation letter, Prakash cited insufficient staff strength as the primary issue. He stated, “With only three staff members, including myself, the workload is unmanageable. In a week, our staff is engaged in cash remittance for just two days.”

Image: Resignation of CBI Official

Furthermore, Prakash's decision to step down was influenced by the denial of leave during the upcoming festive occasions of Chhath Puja and Kali Puja, as well as negative responses from regional office staff.

The We Bankers Association, a bank employee trade union, condemned the government for the poor working conditions in public sector banks.

In a tweet it said, “Bank Manager Resigns after 12 years of Service due to #ToxicWorkCulture #NoWorkLifeBalance #AcuteStaffShortage #BadBehaviourOfBosses Govt is so Cruel and apathetic towards Poor working conditions of Bankers that they never tried to improve the condition of PSU Bankers. Instead exploiting them as Milch Cows to fulfill their ambitious VoteBank schemes keeping in view the upcoming elections. Bankers don't talk about Staff Strength, Don't Talk about Poor Salary structure (12th BPS Due by more than 1 year), Don't Talk about Healthy Work Culture, Don't talk about #5DaysBanking Instead like a Bonded labour just do what bosses say sacrificing your Health, Personal, social, Family Life. Leading to Rising Banker Suicide and Resignation from job.”

Resignation in the SBI
This resignation trend extends to India’s largest public sector bank, the State Bank of India (SBI) as well. Just two months ago, a deputy branch manager in Jalandhar, Punjab, resigned from the SBI, pointing to a lack of an employee-friendly transfer policy, threatening messages from senior management, and disruptions in work-life balance.

Image: Resignation of SBI Official
Image Credit: Punjab Kesari

The successive resignations of officials across public sector banks highlight the deteriorating working conditions.

Renowned banking expert Thomas Franco commented on the situation, stating, “Resignations on this scale in public sector banks are unprecedented. Workforce overburdening continues to increase, while recruitment remains insufficient. Claims that technology will address all issues are proven wrong.”

As a matter of fact, public sector banks are reeling with the crisis of a shortage of employees and vacancies. In a rather paradoxical situation, 12 Public Sector Banks witnessed a profit surge of 57% in 2022-23; however, their employee count has drastically fallen.

Against this backdrop of employee shortages, the largest trade union in the banking sector, the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), had launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #2LakhBankJobs, advocating for new recruitment in banks to address the pressing need for human resources.

Meanwhile, a recent report from the RBI Handbook of Statistics on Indian Economy 2022-23 has revealed a concerning trend. The rising employee count in private sector banks is on a trajectory to soon surpass the numerical strength of the Public Sector Banks (PSBs), adding another layer of complexity to the challenges facing the public banking sector.