Inadequate Infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank Hassle Customers

The infrastructure in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) has been a point of contention for both customers and bank staff. Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank’s (JKGB) Badyal Brahmana branch has become a particular source of dissatisfaction for its customers.

Amidst the picturesque yet rugged terrain of Jammu, lies the Badyal Brahmana branch of Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank, roughly 23 kilometers from the bustling city centre in the RS Pura block. The branch’s exterior tells a tale of neglect and dilapidation -  its weather-beaten facade, peeling paint, and an ageing signboard underscore the dire state of the infrastructure. The air conditioning units, relics of better times, hang uselessly on the wall, offering no respite from the sweltering summer heat.

Image: J&K Grameen Bank Badyal Brahmana Branch

Lack of Essential Personnel and Malfunctioning Equipment

 Inside, the situation is equally grim. The branch operates with minimal staff, exacerbating the inefficiency and frustration of customers. The absence of essential personnel, such as an office boy or a daily wage attendant, paint a stark picture of operational inadequacy. On a few days, the scene inside is chaotic: long queues of weary customers waiting for deposits, delays in voucher verifications, and an overwhelming sense of disarray.

A customer who wished to remain anonymous, told Kanal, “During the peak summer months, the branch transforms into an unbearable oven, with temperatures soaring and no functioning air conditioning to provide relief. We are left to sweat in the oppressive heat with patience being tested by the sluggish pace of banking operations.”

Another customer revealed that on several occasions, the generator backup during power outages remained inactive, leaving both customers and bank staff in the lurch and causing inordinate delays in operations.

According to the S.K. Mitra recommendations on branch categorization based on total business, the Badyal Brahmana branch falls into the C category, handling business volumes ranging from Rs. 30 crore to Rs. 75 crore.

Significant Yet Underserved Branch

It is a significant branch of JKGB, serving rural customers in a hamlet of Jammu, with a clientele that includes agriculture workers, farmers, and agro-based small traders.

Badyal Brahmana branch is crucial for a large rural population in Jammu, situated just 3.5 kilometers from the International Border (IB) between India and Pakistan. The region recently witnessed an unprovoked firing at the border, resulting in a ceasefire violation from Pakistan after a decade, creating panic among the locals.

Image: Red dot denotes Badyal Brahmana’s position in Jammu closer to border of Pakistan 

Staff Crunch

The branch has been without a daily wage worker for the past four months, reportedly affecting operations across the board. It runs with one clerk and two officers. Moreover, the absence of an armed guard is a critical shortfall, especially given the branch’s proximity to the India-Pakistan border.

A few weeks ago, the National Federation of RRB Officers (NFRRBO) reported the staff shortage to the management, citing violations of the S.K. Mitra committee guidelines on manpower management.

The branch’s inability to deliver seamless service, marked by the absence of fundamental amenities and sufficient staff, epitomises the larger issue of infrastructural neglect within the Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank network.