Punjab & Sind Bank Officers to Hold Dharna Over Controversial Transfer Policy, Strike Threat Looms

Two prominent officers' unions of Punjab and Sind Bank have announced a peaceful dharna on April 17 at the bank’s corporate office in East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi. The protest is in response to the management’s unilateral implementation of a revised transfer policy, which the unions claim deviates from government guidelines and lacks transparency.

The protest is being organised under the banner of the United Forum of Punjab and Sind Bank Unions (UFPSBU) — a joint platform formed by the All India Punjab and Sind Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPSBOF), affiliated with AIBOA, and the All India Punjab and Sind Bank Officers’ Union (AIPSBOU), affiliated with AIBOC. The move marks a rare show of unity, aimed at preventing any attempts by the management to divide the voices of protest.

Background: DFS Guidelines and the Bank’s Divergence
On November 26, 2024, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, issued guidelines directing all Public Sector Banks to revise their transfer policies. The key requirement was to define clear minimum and maximum tenure limits at zonal or administrative levels to ensure uniformity and fairness in officer postings.

While most banks aligned their policies with these directions, Punjab and Sind Bank took a different route. Instead of clearly specifying tenure ranges, the bank introduced a point-based system for transfers, which, according to union representatives, is arbitrary, inconsistent, and open to misuse.

How the Point System Works — and Why It’s Being Opposed
Under the new policy, an officer becomes eligible for transfer after accumulating 12 points. Points are awarded at a rate of 3 per year in a zone, with additional plus or minus points based on personal factors:

Minus 4 points for female employees
Minus 8 points for critical illness
Minus 2 points if service is less than three years

Union leaders argue that this system, though seemingly structured, has created confusion and a lack of uniformity. Officers in some cases are reaching the 12-point mark within four years, while others are doing so after eight or even nine years — leading to frustration and allegations of favouritism.

“Instead of defining a uniform tenure, as advised by DFS, the management has created a scoring system that is being manipulated to selectively transfer or retain officers,” said Samir Mantrao, President of AIPSBOF in a conversation with Kanal. “There is no transparency, and the lack of uniformity is breeding mistrust. Some officers with genuine problems deserve relief — but such cases should be categorised and handled with consultation, not arbitrary scoring.”

Mantrao further questioned the logic behind deducting points for women officers but not ensuring that they are posted close to their home, spouse, or parents, as per various government advisories. “The point system lacks empathy and logic. DFS guidelines promote sensitive postings for women, but the bank’s policy ignores that in practice.”

Unilateral Decision-Making, No Consultation with Unions
A major point of contention is the manner in which the new policy was implemented — without consulting the recognised unions. “The policy was brought in unilaterally. No discussion, no feedback, no negotiation. This is a clear violation of the consultative process expected in matters affecting thousands of officers,” said Mantrao.

Following advice from the Central Labour Commissioner (CLC), a meeting was held between the unions and management, but union leaders claim it yielded no concrete outcome.

Escalation Plan: Dharna, Strike, and Indefinite Protest
The April 17 dharna is just the first step in what the unions describe as a phased agitation plan:

April 17: Peaceful sit-in protest at the Corporate Office, New Delhi
First week of May: One-day strike (official strike notice to be served shortly)
Beyond May: Indefinite strike if the policy is not rolled back or revised in consultation with unions

“We are not against reform. But any policy that affects officers’ careers and families must be transparent, fair, and discussed with stakeholders. If the management fails to act, we will escalate,” Mantrao warned.

The ball is now in the court of Punjab and Sind Bank’s top management. With pressure mounting and unity among the officer community growing. The coming weeks may prove critical in determining whether consensus or confrontation will define the future of transfers in the bank.