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Exclusive: Odisha Gramya Bank Faces Allegations of Unauthorized Deductions from Women Self Help Group Accounts
Odisha Gramya Bank faces CBI complaint over ₹750 unauthorized insurance deductions from WSHG loan accounts. Anonymous whistleblower demands probe.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: April 30, 2025
An anonymous employee of Odisha Gramya Bank (OGB) has submitted a formal complaint to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging large-scale unauthorized deductions from Women’s Self-Help Group (WSHG) Cash Credit accounts. The allegations raise serious concerns over possible collusion between top bank officials and a private insurance firm.
₹750 Deducted Without Consent, Says Complaint
According to the complaint dated April 2, 2025, thousands of WSHG members across OGB’s 549 rural branches had ₹750 deducted from their loan accounts toward a group insurance premium. The complainant claims that these deductions were carried out without customer consent and in violation of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Mission Shakti guidelines, which do not permit such charges.
“This is a clear violation of banking ethics and RBI regulations on fair banking practices,” the complaint reads.
The complaint further alleges that OGB’s Chairman and General Manager (Advances) spearheaded the scheme in collaboration with a private insurance company, purportedly to push bulk policy sales for mutual benefit.
Breach of Trust and Suppression of Internal Complaints
OGB, widely recognised for its outreach to rural women through WSHGs, is now under scrutiny for what the whistleblower describes as a betrayal of public trust. The deduction scheme is being termed a case of “financial exploitation of vulnerable communities.”
The complainant also claims that repeated attempts to raise the issue internally were suppressed. “No concrete investigation was initiated, and complaints were dismissed without proper inquiry,” the letter alleges.
Request for Action and Investigation
The employee has urged the CBI to investigate the matter thoroughly, including the roles of the Chairman and GM, and to ensure that all deducted funds are refunded to the affected accounts.
In addition, the complaint calls for:
- Probing possible benefits received by the officials from the insurer,
- Immediate refunds to the impacted WSHG accounts,
- Examination of similar practices in other Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) nationwide.
The letter has also been marked to several top state and central authorities, including the Chief Minister of Odisha, the Deputy CM & Women and Child Development Minister, NABARD, and RBI.
Call for Accountability
The whistleblower has chosen to remain anonymous, citing fear of retaliation, but has stressed the urgent need for institutional intervention. The case, if proven, could have major implications for rural financial practices and oversight across the RRB network in India.
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