Unions in Aryavart Bank Raise Concern Over Controversial Transfer Orders

In a recent development that has stirred significant unrest, trade unions at Aryavart Bank have raised serious concerns over what they describe as whimsical and motivated transfer orders issued by the current management. The Joint Forum of Aryavart Bank Unions (JFOABU) has condemned these transfer orders, which they argue are detrimental to both staff morale and the bank's overall functioning.

Allegations of Mismanagement

According to the July 5, 2024 JFOABU letter, Aryavart Bank, sponsored by the Bank of India (BOI), has been traditionally performing well, meeting the expectations of stakeholders. However, the recent appointments of senior officials from the Bank of India to key positions within Aryavart Bank have led to a series of decisions that the unions claim violate established rules and practices. The unions have highlighted that these officers have been misusing their powers, issuing transfer orders without regard for the bank’s operational norms or the welfare of its staff.

Image: The Letter by Joint Forum of Aryavart Bank Unions Raising Discrepancies on Transfer Orders

The letter points out eight irregularities in the decision taken by Bank of India, the Sponsor bank, regarding transfers. Here are the points of the letter:

1. Disregard for the Personal & Disabilities Act 2016: Disabled employees, whose disability certificates are already on file, have been transferred away from their current regions.
2. Premature Transfers: Officers who have not completed the stipulated tenure of six years in one region have been transferred prematurely, sometimes after just one or two years.
3. Couple Bankers at Distance: Couple bankers who work for Aryavart Bank have been transferred to different, distant regions without consideration of spouse grounds, solely to cause inconvenience.
4. Family Separation: Employees whose spouses work in other institutions within the bank's command area have been intentionally separated through these transfers.
5. Medical Grounds Ignored: Transfers on medical grounds have been arbitrarily rejected.
6. Disregard for Officer Cadre Policies: Officers have been transferred without completing the required tenure in their current positions.
7. Award Staff Transfers: Award staff who have not completed the required ten years in a region have been transferred to administrative positions far away, purely to cause disruption.
8. Arbitrary Interpretations: The management has arbitrarily interpreted and applied transfer policies to penalise staff members, disregarding proper policy guidelines and fair practice.

Image: Aryavart Employees Submitting Grievance on Transfer order in Agra

Support to JFOABU and Call for Sponsor Bank Intervention

The JFOABU has garnered support from fellow bank unions, including the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) and Prathama UP Bank Officers Association (PUPBOA), who have expressed their concerns over the transfer order.

Image: AIRRBEA Letter to Bank of India MD and CEO on Transfer Order.  

In a letter dated July 6, the AIRRBEA addressed the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of India, highlighting that the arbitrary nature of these transfers has led to widespread resentment among employees. They warned that this could potentially lead to industrial action, including strikes, if their demands are not met. The letter called for an immediate review and reversal of the contentious transfer orders and requested intervention to restore normalcy through mutual negotiations.

The AIRRBEA emphasised that the smooth functioning of the bank is being jeopardised by the egoistic and unsuitable management style of the deputed officers from the sponsor bank. They urged the Bank of India to ensure that the appointed officials adhere to established norms and practices that cater to the rural population’s banking needs.

Similarly, the Prathama UP Bank Officers Association (PUPBOA) in its July 6 letter to Aryavart Bank Chairman demanded the scrapping of the anti-employee transfer notification and requested the release of a legitimate order. 

Image: Prathama UP Bank Officers Association Letter to the Aryavart Bank Chairman on the Controversial Transfer Order

PUPBOA cited concerns over the separate and distant posting of couple bankers working for Aryavart Bank and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the order.