AIRRBEA Urges NABARD to Convene JCC Meeting Amid Escalating Unrest in RRBs

In a letter dated June 21, 2025, AIRRBEA Secretary General S Venkateswar Reddy flagged serious industrial relations (IR) concerns brewing at the RRB level due to management inaction, regulatory lapses, and prolonged delays in addressing staff demands. The letter warns that failure to activate the JCC mechanism promptly could lead to further deterioration of work culture and morale in RRBs nationwide.

Image: AIRRBEA letter to NABARD requesting to hold the 13th Joint Consultative Meeting

Concerns Deepen Over RRB-Level Discontent

The last JCC meeting, AIRRBEA noted, was held on June 12, 2024—nearly a year ago—despite the forum’s mandate to convene biannually. The previous meeting before that took place in December 2020, showing a clear lapse in periodic dialogue. The association emphasised that the absence of a functional redressal platform has left employee grievances unaddressed, forcing unions to approach the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), where four separate conciliation proceedings are already underway.

AIRRBEA also pointed out that several RRBs are not complying with the SOP advised by NABARD and Government of India guidelines post-amalgamation, with no effective negotiation taking place between bank managements and recognised unions.

Issues Awaiting Urgent JCC Intervention

In its letter, AIRRBEA listed seven key issues that require NABARD and Government attention through the JCC mechanism:

1. Timely Response to Union Representations: Take cognisance of submissions by RRB unions/associations and ensure timely responses to resolve ground-level discontent.
    
2. Quarterly JCC Meetings with DFS Presence: Institutionalise quarterly JCC meetings with Department of Financial Services (DFS) participation to prevent further IR deterioration.
    
3. Promotion Policy Reforms: Expedite revision of outdated promotion rules, which are causing frustration among younger staff, and ensure new policies are applied prospectively.
    
4. End Deputation in Promotion Posts: Stop deputing sponsor bank officers to promotional posts in RRBs to nurture in-house talent and preserve local expertise.
    
5. Proper Implementation of Bipartite Settlement: Ensure uniform implementation of the 12th Bipartite Settlement/9th Joint Note as per GOI order dated July 8, 2024—currently delayed in several RRBs.
    
6. Standardisation of Allowances & Benefits: Revise benefits like staff loans, conveyance, leased accommodation, and other amenities uniformly across all 28 RRBs to eliminate disparities.
    
7. Leave Salary & Benefits to IBA: Now that parity is legally settled, entrust salary revisions and related benefits to IBA with RRB representation for smoother execution.
    

Pension, Parity, and Pending Promises

AIRRBEA’s appeal also draws attention to growing disputes surrounding the implementation of the RRB pension scheme as per the Government's affidavit dated August 9, 2024, and the subsequent Supreme Court order. Additionally, confusion over the computer increment policy and stalled service rule revisions are adding to employee frustration.

The association warned that inaction on these long-standing matters is leading to staff alienation, especially as several RRBs continue to defy established SOPs and ignore union feedback.

AIRRBEA has also sent copies of the letter to the DFS under the Ministry of Finance, urging immediate intervention and activation of the JCC forum to prevent further erosion of industrial harmony within the rural banking sector.