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Kanal News Impact: Utkal Grameen Bank Reinstates Terminated Sub Staff
Kanal Media’s reporting prompts Utkal Grameen Bank to reverse the termination of subordinate staff, easing operational disruptions across Odisha.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: February 14, 2024
In a significant reversal, Utkal Grameen Bank has decided to reinstate the terminated subordinate staff, following the uproar caused by their abrupt termination.
The bank’s management, after discussions with the affected daily wage earners on February 13, 2024, issued an official statement agreeing to re-employ the terminated workers under the previous terms.
Initially, the bank’s chairman had issued orders on February 3, 2024, to bar subordinate staff, primarily daily wage earners, from working in branches across 17 districts in Odisha.
Image: Utkal Grameen Bank Notice on Reinstating Terminated Sub Staff
Operational Crisis
The fallout from the terminations sparked an operational crisis across branches of Utkal Grameen Bank.
This has led to a severe disruption in branch operations, with the burden of responsibilities falling entirely on branch managers and clerks. Officers and employees were tasked with managing all aspects of branch operations.
Kanal’s Report Impact
Kanal Media's report, highlighting the operational turmoil at Utkal Grameen Bank, triggered widespread discussions among employees and officers.
An anonymous banker, communicating via a direct message on Twitter, acknowledged the influential role of Kanal’s intervention in resolving the issue. As per the message, the report's circulation compelled the Chairman, a Scale 6 SBI cadre officer, to address the matter promptly.
The comprehensive 420-word report by Kanal Media played a pivotal role in advocating for the reinstatement of the 350 terminated daily wage temporary sub staff.
Image: RRB banker update on Kanal Report Impact
According to a prominent member of the Utkal Bank Workmen Association, Kanal’s report served as a catalyst in facilitating dialogue between the bank management and the terminated sub staff, aiming to mitigate operational disruptions and address the concerns of affected workers.
The Utkal Grameen Bank Asthai Karmachari Sangha, representing the interests of the terminated sub staff, has long been advocating for minimum wage, bonuses, and job regularisation, with their demands being a subject of contention since 2017. This advocacy culminated in a case filed at the Regional Labour Commissioner Office (RLC) in Bhubaneswar.