Transfer Non-Compliance in RRBs Sparks Discontent
RRBs face rising concerns over non- uniformly implemented transfer policies, lack of safeguards for staff, and mounting demands for transparent, fair postings.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: 16 hours ago
Most Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across India continue to function without a clearly defined or uniformly implemented transfer framework. This has left thousands of employees vulnerable to arbitrary postings, procedural opacity, and in some cases, a complete absence of safeguards for union office bearers and women staff.
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The Department of Financial Services (DFS) notified a revised, uniform transfer policy in February 2025—ending a decade-long wait for updated personnel norms across RRBs.
Data reviewed by Kanal shows that transfer frameworks in several RRBs—including Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank, Maharashtra Gramin Bank, Jharkhand Gramin Bank (JGB), Odisha Grameen Bank (OGB), and Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) — remain either insufficiently defined or only partially implemented.
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Arbitrary Implementation of Transfer Policy
Across several RRBs, employees report that transfer rules are being applied inconsistently, leading to confusion, prolonged wait times for transfers, and allegations of favouritism. Officers from Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Rajasthan say that even after amalgamation, no uniform, transparent transfer framework is being followed, leaving staff uncertain about their rights and tenure norms.
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An officer from Jammu & Kashmir Grameen Bank, requesting anonymity, told Kanal, “Transfers feel completely unpredictable. Without a board-approved policy, postings become discretionary. Most of us do not know what rules exist or whether they’re being followed at all.” He added, “There is no unified transfer policy even after amalgamation. Many staff have completed their tenure but are still waiting for transfers to hometowns for 6–7 years. It clearly reflects non-compliance.”
An officer of Jharkhand Gramin Bank echoed the concern. He told Kanal, “The transfer policy is being imposed arbitrarily, with no accountability. Some officers remain in favourable head office positions for five years. This exposes the non-serious approach to a crucial personnel policy.”
According to inside sources, a similar situation prevails in Rajasthan Gramin Bank (RGB) and Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, where drafts exist but official circulars have not been issued—keeping staff uncertain and policies effectively non-operational.
Lack of Protection and Transparency
The implementation of transfer safeguards remains uneven, particularly for staff who hold elected union or association positions. Employees from Jharkhand Gramin Bank and Odisha Grameen Bank allege that even basic protections for office bearers—considered standard in any fair personnel framework—are frequently overlooked.
A staff member of Odisha Grameen Bank (OGB) Bank told Kanal, “The transfer policy is still far from being implemented in its true spirit. Even the mandated protection for a union office bearer has not been honoured. Such prolonged delays in enforcing a fundamental policy like transfers need urgent correction.”
Doubts Over Women Staff Protection
In several RRBs — including Maharashtra Gramin Bank (MGB), West Bengal Gramin Bank (WBGB) and Tripura Gramin Bank — employees say that the transfer protections meant for women staff are either weakly implemented or ignored altogether, leading to widespread anxiety among female employees posted in remote or difficult locations.
A senior employee of Maharashtra Gramin Bank told Kanal, “RRBs operate in some of the most rural regions of the country, yet what we see in the name of women’s transfer protection is a mockery. It amounts to unfair labour practice.”
An officer from Tripura Gramin Bank echoed similar concerns: “The transfer rules for women staff exist only on paper. Compliance by the management is poor, even though nearly a third of our workforce is women. Proper implementation is overdue.”
A women employee of West Bengal Gramin Bank (WBGB) argued that, added, “RRBs function in remote and socially vulnerable districts, where sensitivity in transfers is crucial. While some protection exists, it is far from adequate and requires serious strengthening.”
As transfer uncertainty deepens across multiple RRBs, the inconsistent safeguards — especially for women staff — point to a troubling administrative gap. The pressing question now is: When will RRBs finally adopt a transparent, humane and accountable transfer system worthy of a government-owned rural banking network?
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