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RRB Amalgamation Begins, But RRB Staff Say ‘We Work in 50°C Heat Without Basic Facilities’
RRB amalgamation takes effect under DFS reform, but poor infrastructure in rural branches sparks staff concern.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: May 2, 2025
On May 1, 2025, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced the rollout of the “One State One RRB” amalgamation policy, marking the consolidation of 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across 11 states and Union Territories. The reform is aimed at fostering stronger rural banks with improved governance, streamlined credit flow, and enhanced financial inclusion.
But as DFS posted the milestone on social media, a stark and unsettling reality emerged in the replies: RRB staff on the ground called out the glaring infrastructure gaps that continue to haunt these rural institutions. One banker noted that competing with sponsor banks and private banks is difficult when many rural branches still lack even the most basic infrastructure.
Discontent Surfaces Online: “We Work Under Fans in 50°C Heat”
A widely circulated reply to the DFS tweet came from an account, Bank Wala Majdoor, possibly associated with RRB. It stated: “90% of RRB branches have the worst infra—no basic facilities like toilets or clean premises. In 45–50°C heat, we are forced to work under a fan, no cooler, no AC.”
The tweet, while emotionally charged, points to a systemic neglect that was ignored amid the fanfare of reforms.
Debilitating Gramin Banks Infrastructure
Recent field reports by Kanal revealed similarly dire conditions in branches of Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank. Badyal Brahmana branch’s exterior tells a tale of neglect and dilapidation - its weather-beaten facade, peeling paint, and an ageing signboard underscore the dire state of the infrastructure. The air conditioning units, relics of better times, hang uselessly on the wall, offering no respite from the sweltering summer heat.
Similarly, employees of Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank (formerly Baroda UP Bank) have consistently raised concerns over inadequate infrastructure. In June 2024, the Baroda UP Bank Employees Union highlighted the issue in a letter, citing non-functional air conditioners in several branches amid an intense heatwave.
Beyond Policy, the Reality on Ground
While the “One State One RRB” policy aims to unify and strengthen rural banking, the response from employees underscores that amalgamation needs to resolve deeper operational deficiencies.
If the government envisions RRBs as a vehicle of rural empowerment, it must match structural reforms with meaningful investment in infrastructure, staff welfare, and security—particularly in rural, conflict-prone, and climatically extreme regions.
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