Misuse of Power in Baroda UP Bank: Regional Managers Accused of Unethical Practices and Abuse

Startling revelations have surfaced, exposing allegations of misconduct and irregularities involving Regional Managers (RMs) at Baroda UP Bank. A whistleblower's accusations and a viral video showing an RM's misbehaviour underscore the high-handedness prevalent among RMs at the bank.

The whistleblower’s letter to the Chairman of Baroda UP Bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) alleges irregularities in the work tenure of S.B. Saxena, the Regional Manager of Baroda UP Bank’s Bareilly region.

Image: Complain against the Regional Manager of Baroda UP Bank

Prioritising Loan Defaulter

One of the whistleblower's key allegations involves the Regional Manager (RM) pressuring bank officials to sanction a loan for an individual with close connections to him. The intended beneficiary of this loan is reportedly a defaulter of HDFC Bank.

These corruption allegations against the RM were shared on social media by a handle on X, stating, “Probe Demand on corrupt Baroda UP Bank Bareilly Regional Manager SB Saxena. Who assigned his son's auditor for his own workplace (BUPB) with the help of the Chairmanबहुत गंभीर आरोप में फंसा है इस बार.”

Appointment and Commission Scandal

Serious allegations against the RM include unscrupulous appointments and redirecting monetary commissions from the bank's auditor. The RM initially attempted to appoint his son as the auditor and Chartered Accountant (CA) of the bank. However, a whistleblower's complaint led to his son’s removal.

Branch managers of Baroda UP Bank have also accused the RM of extracting commissions from the bank's auditor.

 The whistleblower told Kanal, “The Bareilly Regional Manager of Baroda UP Bank is abusing power for vested interests involving corruption and malpractices. Several branch managers have expressed discontent with his illegitimate decision-making but are afraid to officially record their complaints due to his powerful position.”

Another complaint mentions that the RM, who is scheduled to retire this year, is hastily clearing controversial pending records to secure a clean exit from his service.

Verbal Abuse Incident

In a related incident, a video circulating on the social media platform X shows a Regional Manager berating a banker, referring to them as “bonded labour.”

An X user, The Bankers Voice, tweeted a video from last year featuring the Ballia Regional Manager of Baroda UP Bank. In the video, the RM is seen verbally abusing a banker, saying, “tum bandhwa majdoor ho, bank tumhe tankhwa deti hai” (You are a bonded labourer, and the bank pays your salary).

The tweet stated, “The banking sector is considered a “white-collar job”, but a recent viral video has tarnished this image. In the video, a bank executive addresses employees as bonded labourers. The extent to which people are going to appease.” 

Most of the Regional Managers at Baroda UP Bank are from its sponsor bank, Bank of Baroda. According to the whistleblower, S.B. Saxena, the Bareilly RM, has been treating Baroda UP Bank officials poorly and indiscriminately. This has led to a simmering conflict among the Gramin bankers over the treatment they receive from sponsor bank officials.   

Sponsor Bank and Conflict 

Recently, conflicts between officers from sponsor banks and employees of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) have come to light. The Regional Manager of Utkal Grameen Bank in Sambalpur was reported to have labelled employees who failed to sell insurance as unsociable elements, dictating to officials and employees, “Sell Insurance or Resign.”

This incident sparked protests by the officers’ association, who demanded immediate action against the RM. Due to the high-handedness of Regional Managers, the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) has persistently called for the formation of a National Rural Bank of India (NRBI).