Bank of Maharashtra Employees’ Union Holds 14th Biennial Conference in Aurangabad

Image: Flag Hoisting

Devidas Tuljapurkar, President of Bank of Maharashtra Employees Union, Aurangabad (BOMEUA) paid homage to deceased members and delivered a motivating address urging unity and renewed commitment to employees’ struggles.

Image: Dhananjay Kulkarni addressing the attendees

Analysing the fast changing world and evolving technology he tried to empower the attendees and bankers to adapt and evolve with the changes. He stated, “Artificial Intelligence cannot replace humans, but humans have to work with it. The ecosystem is changing because of AI.” He tried to send a message through this speech that Humans should not be scared of AI but they should learn new techniques.

For the better future of the bank employees, he emphasised on fighting for their own rights and said, “When fought together, anything can be achieved.” (referring to farmers’ movements)

And rounding off his appeal, he called on the younger generation saying, “We lived AIBEA, now it's the younger generation’s turn to come forward.”

Key Policy Points Highlighted:
1) 89% of banking is still in the public sector after nationalisation but falling market share (52% loans, 57% deposits).
2) Mergers such as Bank of Baroda with Vijaya Bank show how accounting profit overtakes social profit.
3) Call to “Save IDBI”.
4) Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) amalgamated from 196 to 82 to 43 banks now to 28; staff shortages acute.
5) Need unity between management and labour; Bank of Maharashtra was the first in monetisation drive.
6) Recruitment of sub-staff to resume.
7) 12th Bipartite Settlement: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) discussions started January 30th-31st, 2023, signed on March 8th, 2025.
8) Re-starting of the bulletin and emphasis on physical meetings to share views.
9) Remember that BOMEUA was the first to start Mahila Melave (Women’s Meets).

A procession of delegates and flag bearers followed, displaying the union’s colours through the city.

At 5.00 p.m. the formal inauguration was held at K. Suresh Dheybheshkar Nagar, Tapyachi Natyamandir, Nirala Bazaar.

Inaugurator: Shri Varun Sukhraj – Noted Film Director
Chief Guest: N. Shankar – General Secretary, Maharashtra State Bank Employees’ Federation (MSBEF)
Special Presence: Krishna Bararkar – General Secretary, Bank of Maharashtra Officers’ Association (BOMOA)
Chairperson: Devidas Tuljapurkar – President, BOMEU

Image: All dignitaries who attended the event


Image: Varun Sukhraj addressing the audience

The prestigious Shripad Amrut Dange Memorial Award was presented to veteran leader Milind Ranade – Senior Working-Class Leader, recognising his decades of leadership of working-class struggles. A special conference bulletin was released. The day closed with dinner.

Image: Leader Milind Ranade being felicitated and addressing the audience

Day Two – September 14, 2025
Day two began with Shrutika Mohod welcoming participants. Leaders discussed bankers’ stress, staff shortages, demanding customers and the disturbing rise of suicides among bank employees. Management was urged to address these issues.

Psychiatrist Dr. Nandkumar Mulmule delivered a special lecture on mental stress and work pressure. He explained the Happiness Index, emotional health (anger, fear, depression) and the importance of mindfulness to build resilience.

Image: Dr. Nandkumar Mulmule on stage

A special session was held for the retired members of the union who fought for the rights of bank employees. The respective retired members were felicitated for their efforts.

Image: Members being felicitated

Representatives from Nashik, Pune, Bhopal, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Jalna, Barshi, Solapur, Dharashiv and other units were felicitated. In the words of Devidas Tuljapurkar, while appreciating the representative leaders at the felicitation, he said, “All of the members are the resource centre of the faces of the association and its fight.”

Image: Members being felicitated

Open discussions followed with zone-wise interventions. Delegates from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Solapur and Latur shared their views and gave consent to the General Secretary’s proposals. With the collective approval of all attendees, new leaders and members were appointed to the executive body.

Image: All the old members of the executive body with the new members.

The conference concluded with resolutions, accounts adoption, dance, the national anthem and lunch.

Image: The female employees who managed all the work for the event.

Outcome
The 14th Biennial Conference reaffirmed BOMEUA’s tradition of strong grassroots participation, analytical debate and practical action. It combined reflections on global trends with concrete steps to protect employees’ rights and mental well-being while nurturing the next generation of union leadership.
Image: Everyone agreeing with the GS report and for the elected new members.