BOIOA’s 46th Annual General Body Meeting: “We Stand Committed”, Five-Day Banking, Recruitment Take Center Stage

The 46th Annual General Body Meeting of the Bank of India Officers’ Association (BOIOA) was held with full attendance in Patna, bringing together union members, zonal leaders, and office bearers from across India. The gathering reflected a mood of urgency—officers raised critical concerns on staffing, work conditions, and implementation delays on long-promised reforms.

Officers Raise Their Voice—Again
Speakers highlighted the increasing stress levels caused by continued staff shortages and overburdened branches. From Bihar to Bengal and UP to Uttarakhand, delegates stressed that the officers have carried the system forward during crises—but now feel abandoned.

Senior members of the association said, “The bank is expanding business, but not manpower. This cannot go on.”

Key Highlights from the AGM

Five-Day Banking:
Nilesh Pawar, Senior Vice President of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) and General Secretary Federation of Bank of India Officers' Associations (FBOIOA) revealed that while the Finance Ministry has given clearance, final implementation is held up due to opposition from trader associations and pressure on the government. “We are just one step away,” he said. “But if delayed again, our strike call—earlier temporarily deferred —will be revived.”

Recruitment Crisis:
Staffing gaps across branches were highlighted as a core pain point. “Without proper hiring, our officers suffer—mentally and physically,” said Pawar. He called for immediate nationwide recruitment to ease workloads and improve service delivery.

Unity Without Compromise:
At the heart of Pawar’s address was a call for unity—not just among officers, but across the entire ecosystem of bank operations. He emphasized that while the association respects institutional structure, it will not compromise when officers' dignity and workload balance are at stake. “Negotiation is not surrender,” was the underlying message as he reiterated that the union will cooperate, but never at the cost of exploitation.

This position was clearly visible during the recent conciliation meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC), where bank management expressed concern that a five-day workweek might inconvenience small traders and businessmen. Union leaders countered that officers cannot be held hostage to outdated systems. The strike call, though deferred earlier, remains a live option if promises continue to be delayed.

Senior bank officials like General Manager S.P. Sahani was present at the AGM and acknowledged the concerns raised, promising to escalate them to higher authorities.

Image: Photos from BOIOA’s 46th Annual General Body Meeting

Focus on Bihar:
The Bihar unit, led by Ganesh Kumar Pandey, stressed opening more branches in the state to boost employment and customer service. “We want our youth employed and our officers supported,” Pawar added.

Welfare Measures and Achievements:
He listed achievements like home and vehicle loan enhancements, insurance access, and tax absorption benefits. “These are not favors—they are rights we fought for,” he said.

Voices from the Ground
Ganesh Kumar Pandey emphasized the need for stronger union presence in Bihar: “We are the face of BOI here. Our visibility and strength must increase.”

Speakers from Bengal and Uttarakhand expressed solidarity with the Bihar unit, stating, “Unity across regions will be our real strength against policy delays.”

A young officer from Patna added: “We look up to leaders like Pawar for real answers, not just resolutions. This AGM has given us hope.”

AGM Ends with Solidarity Across Zones
Leaders from Bengal, Maharashtra, UP, and Bihar addressed the hall with shared concerns and support. The session ended with loud calls for unity, timely action, and a warning—if long-pending issues are ignored, the officers’ collective voice will grow louder.