Shortage Plagues Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank: 40 Branches Operating Without Clerks

In the state of West Bengal, the Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (UBKGB) is facing a severe crisis as approximately 40 of its branches are operating without clerks. This dire situation has put immense strain on the bank's operations and has increased the workload on its officials.

Implication of Vacancies

 Out of the total 143 branches of UBKGB, a significant number, 40 to be exact, are functioning without the crucial support of clerks. This shortage has not only burdened the officials but has also severely impacted the delivery of banking services, especially in rural areas where the bank predominantly operates.

A bank official highlighted the repercussions of this shortage, stating that the officials in branches lacking clerks are now forced to take on additional responsibilities, including cash maintenance, account openings, managing government schemes, and handling routine branch tasks such as data entry. 

Furthermore he said, “The absence of adequate clerk recruitment has significantly hindered the bank's ability to provide efficient services to its rural customer base.”

Filling the 30,000 vacancies across 43 RRBs has long been urged by the All India Rural Regional Bank Employees’ Association (AIRRBEA). 

Late Working Hours

The shortage of clerks has led to a host of challenges for the bank's officials, including late working hours becoming the norm. With the absence of clerks, extended working hours have become routine for officials. An officer stated, “Shortage of clerks has led to late shifts and additional weekend work, adding to our distress.”

Several complaints have been lodged by employees and officials of public sector banks (PSBs) regarding late working hours and the imposition of weekend work to meet target pressures. These issues have significantly affected the work-life balance of bank employees and have raised concerns about their overall well-being. 

High Handedness of Sponsor Bank 

As the sponsor bank for UBKGB, the Central Bank of India (CBI) holds a decisive authority over the bank’s operations in five districts of West Bengal. However, an anonymous official revealed that the CBI's policy of operating with more officers and fewer clerks has further intensified the pressure on officials.

The All India Rural Regional Bank Employees’ Association (AIRRBEA) has been actively advocating for the filling of the 30,000 vacancies across regional rural banks (RRBs), including UBKGB. The association has staged demonstrations and strikes, demanding the formation of the National Rural Bank of India (NRBI) to address the ongoing conflicts between sponsor banks and RRBs.

The conflict between sponsor banks, which hold a significant 35% stake in RRBs, and the RRBs themselves continues to simmer, with accusations of sponsor banks acting as both facilitators and competitors in the business expansion of these regional entities.

The crisis at Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and solutions to address the chronic shortage of clerks and the resultant strain on bank officials.