RRB Amalgamation: Gaps Emerge in Implementation at Bihar Gramin Bank
Employees flag operational gaps in Bihar Gramin Bank post-amalgamation phase, citing lag in communication, signage issues, and redressal of outsourced employees.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: May 5, 2025
The recent amalgamation of Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank and Dakshin Bihar Gramin Bank into the newly formed Bihar Gramin Bank has sparked operational concerns among employees. The AIRRBEA-affiliated Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank Employees Association and Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank Officers’ Association have raised inconsistencies in how the process has been carried out.
In a letter addressed to the bank’s Chairman on May 2, 2025, the associations outlined four major concerns reflecting unrest and confusion among the workforce post-amalgamation.
Image: Letter of the AIRRBEA affiliated UBGB unions to Bihar Gramin Bank Chairman citing concerns on implementation of amalgamation.
The four major concerns highlighted by the unions are as follows:
Concerns Over Management Preparedness - Employees and Officers associations expressed dissatisfaction with what they describe as the management's lack of preparedness. Despite clear timelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), several foundational elements—such as signage and internal communications—have either been delayed or poorly implemented.
“This amalgamation was one of the largest in the state. But management seems unprepared, with key instructions still not reaching branches,” the associations stated in their joint letter.
Inadequate Signage and Communication - The second concern involves customer-facing infrastructure. According to staff, the new name boards at branch locations do not properly reflect the legacy of the erstwhile banks, potentially confusing rural customers. In many places, signage that once displayed “Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank” has simply been replaced with “Bihar Gramin Bank,” omitting any reference to the previous bank identities.
“This can be misleading for customers, especially in rural areas. Standardized and updated name boards bearing names of both legacy banks should be installed immediately”, the unions noted.
Confusion over Internal Circulars - Internally, employees from the former Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank (UBGB) are facing operational ambiguity. Bihar Gramin Bank’s current management has directed all staff to follow circulars issued only by the erstwhile Dakshin Bihar Gramin Bank (DBGB), without offering orientation or a common FAQ. This has led to confusion, especially among staff unfamiliar with DBGB's systems and procedures.
Clarity Sought on Contractual Staff Payments - Beyond regular staff, concerns also extend to outsourced employees. The associations flagged unresolved issues regarding the remuneration of contract-based personnel such as sweepers and cleaners. They have demanded clear and immediate instructions to ensure payments are made fairly and on time, in accordance with labor ministry guidelines. timely and fair payments in line with labor ministry guidelines.
As Bihar embraces the “One State One RRB” policy, these implementation challenges highlight the disconnect between policy-level vision and ground-level execution. The concerns raised by employees suggest that unless addressed promptly, similar issues may surface in other states undergoing the RRB amalgamation process.
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