AIRRBEA Urges All RRBs to Implement Govt Orders Without Deviation

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) has issued a strong letter to the Chairpersons of all 43 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) demanding immediate and strict compliance with government orders, guidelines, and policies. 

The letter, dated March 7, 2025, follows the Government of India’s directive dated March 4, which flagged widespread violations and non-compliance by RRB managements, leading to legal and industrial conflicts.

AIRRBEA has emphasized that parity between RRBs and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) has been a clear policy of the government, yet sponsor banks continue to interfere with RRB operations, often blocking the proper execution of government-mandated policies.

Image: AIRRBEA letter to Chairpersons of 43 RRBs expressing concern on implementing government order

Sponsor Banks Undermining Government Directives

In its letter, AIRRBEA accused sponsor banks of failing to provide the necessary guidance to RRBs and instead interfering in daily administration, creating obstacles in implementing critical benefits for employees.

AIRRBEA Secretary General S. Venkateshwar Reddy expressed concern on the prolonged non-compliance of government orders and undue intervention of the sponsor banks. He told Kanal, “The sponsor banks have failed to provide positive guidance to the RRB managements, rather unduly interfering with the day-to-day administration of RRBs and are overriding the directions of GOI, due to which the principle of parity decided by the Supreme Court is ditched.”

The association further warned that continued non-compliance with government orders could escalate industrial unrest in the sector. The latest DFS directive to RRBs is expected to bring major administrative changes, pushing both sponsor banks and RRBs to follow government orders in the right spirit.

Key Demands of AIRRBEA

In its communication, AIRRBEA has listed six major demands that all RRB chairpersons must implement without deviation:

1. Fill over 30,000 vacant posts by applying manpower norms as per GOI directives, based on business levels as of March 31, 2025.
2. Extend all items/allowances under the 12th Bipartite Settlement (BPS) and 9th Joint Note at par with PSBs without any deviations.
3. Grant all legitimate allowances and benefits with a positive approach in the overall interest of employees and the organization.
4. Ensure minimum wages and statutory benefits for daily wage and casual workers, recognizing their significant contributions to the bank.
5. Recognize unions and associations as key stakeholders in RRB development and respect constitutional rights for employee representation.
6. Upgrade technology and IT services to ensure seamless banking operations on par with sponsor banks.

The association has also marked copies of the letter to officials in the Ministry of Finance and NABARD, urging immediate intervention to ensure compliance at all RRBs. With employee unrest rising across multiple RRBs, AIRRBEA has made it clear that non-implementation of these demands will further intensify protests.