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March Closing Pressure on Employees: Ellaquai Dehati Bank Staff Allege Harassment and Coercion
Ellaquai Dehati Bank employees allege coercion to work beyond hours, forced Sunday shifts, and aggressive SBI Life sales pressure amid March closing. Security concerns in Kashmir further intensify workplace distress.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: March 19, 2025
In a concerning revelation, employees of Ellaquai Dehati Bank (EDB) in Jammu and Kashmir have alleged workplace harassment, citing undue pressure from management to work beyond stipulated hours, coercion to meet aggressive sales targets, and blatant disregard for their security in the volatile Kashmir Valley.
Read More: Security Challenges for Bankers in Jammu and Kashmir.
A banker on the condition of anonymity detailed multiple instances of mistreatment, particularly during the critical March closing period. The complaint sheds light on how employees are being forced to open branches on Sundays under threat of salary deductions, adding to the already overwhelming stress.
"The management at the bank has been coercing staff to open branches on Sundays, despite the obvious inconvenience and strain it causes. On top of that, they are threatening salary deductions if we do not comply," the banker wrote, describing the relentless pressure imposed on employees.
Security Threats Ignored, SBI Life Sales Pushed Aggressively
Beyond long working hours, the complaint highlights a serious security concern—the bank’s alleged apathy towards the risks employees face in the Kashmir Valley, where the situation remains unpredictable.
"The management is turning a blind eye to the security threats we face in the Kashmir valley, where the situation is highly volatile. This negligence not only compromises our safety but also adds to the already overwhelming stress," the banker stated.
Additionally, employees claim that the management is imposing excessive sales targets, particularly related to SBI Life insurance policies, during the crucial month-end closing period in March, adding to the burden on already overworked staff.
"The management is applying excessive pressure on employees to meet sales targets, specifically related to SBI Life, during the crucial month-end closing period in March. This is further contributing to the already stressful work environment," the banker added.
To drive insurance sales, EDB in November and December rolled out an Insurance Premier League (IPL)—a campaign designed to promote cross-selling through weekly scorecards and performance reviews. Under this initiative, high-performing branch heads are rewarded with titles such as ‘Star,’ ‘Superstar,’ and ‘Megastar,’ while those failing to meet targets are subjected to intense scrutiny.
The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently expressed concern about banks pushing cross-selling and mis-selling of insurance products.
The distressed employees of EDB underscore a concerning trend hoping that public attention will force the bank’s management to address their grievances. It remains to be seen whether EDB management will take corrective action or if the situation will escalate further.