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Odisha Gramya Bank Mandates Branch Operations on National Holiday
Odisha Gramya Bank has mandated branch operations on Republic Day, a national holiday, to complete pending work and meet lending targets. This directive has sparked concern among employees regarding work-life balance and the increasing pressure on RRB staff.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: January 23, 2025
In a surprising directive, the Regional Office of Odisha Gramya Bank in Pipli, Puri District, has mandated branch operations from January 23 to January 26, 2025, including India's Republic Day, a national holiday. The order, dated January 21, 2025, requires all branches to remain open for the completion of pending works and lending campaigns.
Directive for Operations During National Holiday
The letter instructs branch managers to ensure the presence of all staff for tasks such as small-value NPA recovery, campaign management, issuance of notices for overdue accounts, and completion of pending documentation for loans like KCCs, SHGs, and jewel loans. It states, “You are requested to open your branches and complete all pending works by involving all staff mandatorily. Any staff leaving headquarters without permission will be viewed seriously going forward.”
This directive also emphasizes ensuring adequate safety measures to protect the bank's assets while staff execute these assignments.
Employees Concerns and Work-life Balance
The decision to mandate branch operations on Republic Day has sparked concern among employees, with questions being raised about the impact on work-life balance and the disregard for national holidays. Banking unions have previously voiced discontent regarding increasing workloads and the overemphasis on recovery and campaign targets in Regional Rural Banks.
Office Assistants in Odisha Gramya Bank recently experienced significant work pressure. This pressure stemmed from a directive issued by a Regional Manager demanding the fulfillment of Atal Pension Yojana enrollment targets, coupled with the threat of strict disciplinary action for any failure to comply.
This unusual directive highlights a larger challenge. It raises concerns about employee welfare and the operational dynamics of Regional Rural Banks, even to the extent of compromising employee holidays.