Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank to Witness Agitation Over Unaddressed Issues

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) has raised significant concerns about the operational inefficiencies and management practices at Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank (JKGB), prompting the Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank Officers Association (JKGBOA) to announce an indefinite strike. The strike, set to begin in July 2024, highlights crucial unresolved issues that have caused increasing distress among the bank’s employees.

The AIRRBEA letter, dated June 10, 2024, addressed to the Chairman of JKGB, outlines the persistent problems that have led to this drastic measure. The letter references previous communications, such as one dated January 16, 2024, which emphasised the need for immediate action on several key points agreed upon by the management. Despite these efforts, the issues remain unresolved, creating significant unrest among the staff.

Image: AIRRBEA letter to the Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank Chairman 

Unaddressed Employee Concerns

One of the primary concerns is the management’s delay in implementing promotions, which has frustrated employees and hindered their career progression. The letter accuses the management of deliberately obstructing employees' natural aspiration for promotion to higher cadres. This lack of progression opportunities is compounded by the failure to recruit new staff to fill numerous vacancies, further burdening the existing workforce.

The letter also highlights the bank’s non-compliance with the S.K. Mitra Committee guidelines, which recommend annual recruitment and promotions. This non-compliance not only affects employee morale but also deprives the bank of young, dynamic talent, ultimately impacting customer service and operational efficiency. The existing staff, stretched thin, are unable to meet the demands of a growing customer base, leading to increased stress and decreased job satisfaction.

JKGB operates across 13 districts in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with a network of 214 branches and 1200 employees.

Ignored Government Directives

The management’s failure to implement the Payment of Performance Linked Incentives (PLI) to employees, as per Government of India (GOI) instructions, has also been a major point of contention. Despite the bank turning a profit of Rs 3.76 crore in FY24, the PLI has not been disbursed, ignoring GOI directives and further demotivating the staff who have contributed to this turnaround.

Additionally, the letter mentions the management's disregard for the revision of the fuel allowance and proper implementation of the transfer policy. These issues have generated a strong sense of resentment among the employees, compelling the JKGBOA to serve notice of their intent to strike.

Upcoming Agitation Plans

The agitation will commence with a non-cooperation movement, followed by various forms of protest, including a Dharna program in front of the Head Office on June 21, 2024. The culmination of these actions will be an indefinite strike in July, the exact date of which is yet to be announced. The AIRRBEA has called for immediate intervention to resolve these disputes through dialogue to prevent further industrial unrest.

The upcoming strike at JKGB is not an isolated incident but rather reflects a broader trend of dissatisfaction among RRB employees. Recently, this discontent has been particularly evident in Bank of Baroda-sponsored Gramin banks. Despite the impressive financial performance of these banks in FY24, systemic issues such as staff shortages, delayed promotions, and ignored employee incentives continue to plague them. The strike at JKGB underscores the urgent need for management to address these concerns to maintain operational efficiency and employee morale.