National Federation of RRB Officers Raises Alarm on Inadequate Vacancies in Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank

The National Federation of RRB Officers (NFRRBO) has raised significant concerns regarding the inadequate vacancies notified by the Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank (JKGB) for internal promotions across various cadres. This issue has garnered attention due to its potential impact on the bank’s operational efficiency and employee morale.

Violations of Mitra Committee Guidelines

In a detailed letter dated June 27, 2024 addressed to the Chairman of JKGB, NFRRBO pointed out that the current vacancies announced by the bank fall drastically short of the actual requirements as per the guidelines of the S.K. Mitra Committee. According to the committee's recommendations, the vacancies for Officer Scale IV should be 36, but only 3 positions have been notified. Similarly, for Officer Scale III, 32 vacancies were notified against the required 58, and for Officer Scale II, 29 vacancies were notified against the actual requirement of 92.

Image: NFRRBO Letter to Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank Chairman on Inadequate Vacancies

Image: Required Workforce Count as per Mitra Committee Recommendation 

The Government of India in 2012 constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of Shri. S.K Mitra, Executive Director of NABARD to re-assess the  manpower planning and staffing pattern in RRBs and it was known as Mitra committee.

The NFRRBO letter refers to the recent 12th Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting held in Mumbai, attended by NABARD and Government of India representatives. During the meeting, it was emphasised that RRBs must adhere strictly to the Mitra Committee norms without any deviation.

Impact on Bank’s Performance and Employee Morale

The federation emphasised that these discrepancies not only violate established guidelines but also create significant operational challenges. An acute shortage of officers in various cadres can lead to increased workload and stress among the existing staff, potentially impacting the quality of service and overall business growth. Despite achieving a net profit of Rs. 3.76 crores in the last financial year, attributed to the dedicated efforts of the workforce, the bank’s management has failed to address these critical staffing issues.

Urgent Need for Reassessment

In light of these issues, NFRRBO has called for an urgent reassessment of the vacancy situation by the bank's management. They have urged JKGB to align their vacancy notifications with the Mitra Committee’s guidelines to ensure adequate staffing levels and maintain operational efficiency. The federation has also appealed to higher authorities, including NABARD, to intervene and rectify the anomalies to prevent any further disputes and ensure the smooth functioning of the bank.

The concerns raised by NFRRBO highlight the critical need for JKGB to address the discrepancies in their vacancy notifications promptly. Ensuring adequate staffing not only adheres to regulatory guidelines but also supports the bank's growth and maintains employee morale. It is imperative for the bank’s management and higher authorities to take swift action to resolve these issues and restore confidence among the employees.