AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 12 DATED 28.01.2012

AIBOC issued its circular No. 12 dated 28.01.2012 on silver jubilee celebrations and 9th Triennial General Council of AIRRBOF held at Dharwad on 21st and 22nd January 2012. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.12                       DATE: 28.01.2012

TO ALL AFFILIATES /MEMBERS:

SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AND 9TH TRIENNIAL GENERAL COUNCIL OF ALL INDIA REGIONAL RURAL BANK’S OFFICERS’ FEDERATION, HELD AT DHARWAD ON 21ST AND 22ND JANUARY, 2012 IN A GRAND MANNER

The Silver Jubilee Celebrations and 9th Triennial General Council of All India Regional Rural Banks Officers’ Federation, were held at Dharwad, the cultural capital of Karnataka, on 21.01.2012 with pomp and colour. The members of AIRRBOF, from every nook and corner of the Country swarmed the city. As a prelude to the Inaugural Session, the comrades representing different Regional Rural Banks went in a colourful procession from the historic Kadapa Maidan to the Dr.Annaji Rao Shirur Auditorium on the picturesque and sprawling campus of the famous Karnataka College. The procession waded through the college road, covering a distance of           3 Kms and the spirited slogans of “AIRRBOF ZINDABAD”, “AIBOC ZINDABAD”, “Officers’ Unity Zindabad” created vibrations all along and the laid-back citizens of the city gave cheers to the processionists. The azure skyline of the city was reverberating with the full-throated slogans and the procession depicted a perfect picture of unity in diversity and national integration. The discipline and decorum exhibited were appreciated by the discerning onlookers.

The Dr.Annajirao Shirur Auditorium was tastefully decorated and the aroma of the flowers filled the air and the jam-packed auditorium gave a standing ovation to the Guests when they were called to adorn the dais. The programme was set in motion with a heart stirring, melodius invocation song by Ms.Savitha Hegde. Floral offerings were made to Lord Sri.Ganesh, prior to commencement of the proceedings.

In his introductory remarks, Com.S.K.Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, AIRRBOF, traced the history of Officers’ movement in RRBs and recalled the patronage, support extended by the then General Secretary of AIBOC, Com.R.N.Godbole, in forming the AIRRBOF. The humble beginning made by AIRRBOF during the 1980’s has made rapid strides and we have been able to bring majority of the Officers in RRBs under the banner of AIBOC. He narrated the struggles launched by AIRRBOF right from the days of formation till the 9th Bipartite settlement. He lauded the stellar role played by AIBOC before the NIT headed by Justice Obul Reddy, which brought parity in salary, allowances and service conditions of RRB Officers with those of the Public Sector Banks. The RRBs were established to take care of Mahatma Gandhi’s dreams of Gram Swaraj, Antyodya, Sarvodaya etc., and he declared that with their massive presence in the rural areas, RRBs have made all out efforts to realise the dreams of the Mahatma.

It is in fitness of things and most appropriate to hold the Silver Jubilee Celebrations and the 9th Triennial General Council of AIRRBOF, in Karnataka, which is a fitting tribute to the legendary leader, who incidentally is the son of the soil, Com.R.N.Godbole, he told amidst thunderous applause. Highlighting the ill effects of cross merger of RRBs, he explained as to why AIRRBOF is opposing the efforts of the Govt. and he termed it as a mere futile exercise.

Further, consolidation of Officers will continue till such time that there will be 100% membership for AIRRBOF.

Dr.K.G.Karmakar, former Managing Director of NABARD, speaking on the occasion as Guest of Honour lauded the role of Regional Rural Banks in helping the farmers and the rural folk. He observed that the Banks in India have come out with a number of schemes for amelioration of the problems of the farmers and have played a key role in providing them the required credit facilities. As more than 70% of the branches of RRBs are in the rural areas they have been rendering a yeomen service in the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Stressing the need for strengthening the RRBs to play a bigger role in the development of the rural economy, he pleaded for consolidation and merger of RRBs for achieving, economies of scale, operational efficiency along with compliance of the Basel norms. “Survival of the fittest” mantra holds good for RRBs also. RRBs should move ahead with the current trends and developments as change is a part of life.

He wished the Conference all success and hoped that the delegate session will deliberate on the issues confronting the officers in RRBs but also the strategies to be evolved to ameliorate poverty, hunger, unemployment, etc.

Sri.Sambashiva Reddy, Chairman, of Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank, speaking on the occasion declared that he is participating in the Conference not as Chairman of KVGB but as a Comrade, among the large gathering of members of AIRRBOF, which was welcomed with a thunderous applause.

Highlighting the important role played by RRBs in the economic development of the country, especially of the rural economy, he told that the RRBs are functioning as effectively as the Commercial Banks by becoming Tech Savvy, by opening ATMs, by introducing RTGs etc. Our Officers have contributed immensely for implementation of technology in the Bank, successful implementation of Rapid Action Programme, linking of SHGs in a large number etc. For achieving financial inclusion, officers of RRBs have been working with a missionary zeal. As a person hailing from a rural agricultural family, he knows the pulse of the farmers and Agriculture, and he called upon the RRB officers to involve in all the Govt. sponsored programmes to eradicate poverty, inequalities, unemployment among the rural youth. RRB Officers have the potential of achieving the above goals and objectives and RRBs have a major role to play in the development of the country. He wished the conference all success.

Offering felicitations and fraternal greetings to the Conference and Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Com.Dinakar Punja, General Secretary, Syndicate Bank Officers’ Association, informed to the thunderous applause of the gathering that he opposed the move of Syndicate Bank to merge/amalgamate RRBs sponsored by them in the Board Meeting of Syndicate Bank. A Resolution to this effect has been passed by the Board. He informed the gathering that all the facilities available to officers of Public Sector Banks have been made available to Officers of KVGB. Lamenting on the moves of the present Finance Minister Sri.Pranab Kumar Mukherjee to amalgamate cross merger of the RRBs, he told that Sri.Mukherjee as Deputy Finance Minister during the year 1974-75, was instrumental in getting the RRB Act passed by the Parliament and opening of RRBs. It is an irony that he is now advocating cross mergers which is infested with many problems. He gave a call to the RRB Officers to stand united and fight the evil designs of the Govt. of weakening the RRBs structure.

Com.B.S.Ravindra, Secretary, AIBOC, Karnataka State Unit, who is a force behind the Officers’ Movement in RRBs in Karnataka, offering his felicitations to the Conference and the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, called upon the affiliates of RRBs to achieve 100% membership of officers in all the RRBs. Then only the Silver Jubilee Celebrations will have meaning. Through this we can reduce the influence of the political parties who have kept in their grip a large chunk of Officers community in RRBs. Time has come for all of us to introspect and evolve strategies to achieve majority status in all the RRBs. Why we have not been able to make inroad in many RRBs where officers have aligned with unions having affiliation to political parties. He gave a clarion call to RRB Officers to stand united and wage a concerted fight against all the ill – conceived moves of the Govt. to resort to cross-mergers or amalgamations. Com.H.S.Krishnamurthy Joint Secretary, SBOA and co-ordinator of RRB sponsored by Syndicate Bank offered his felicitation and wished the programme all success.

Delivering the keynote address, Com.G.D.Nadaf, General Secretary AIBOC & AISBOF, told that AIRRBOF is the brainchild of Com.R.N.Godbole, the doyen of Trade Union Movement in the Banking Industry. This Conference was slated to be held in Madhya Pradesh, but by holding it in Karnataka; you have paid glowing tributes to the leadership of Com.R.N.Godbole.

The colourful procession held by the Comrades has created a good impression on the minds of the people of this city.

He recalled that there used to be one President and 4 Vice Presidents from AIBOC in AIRRBOF and now AIRRBOF, which has grown in strength and stature, has been able to carry on the movement with its own leadership. We welcome this development.

The era of militant trade unionism is on the wane, as members are becoming complacent and they do not join the struggles launched by the organisation but expect every facility to be extended to them without waging any fight. Leadership of the Organisation cannot be outsourced. AIBOC is able to carry on the whole gamut of activities on its own strength.

There is an urgent need to bring parity in the Service conditions of Officers of RRBs and the Public Sector Banks and even better compensation package for RRB Officers.

Narrating on the objectives of the RRBs, he told that they were supposed to work as change catalysers in the rural areas and earning profits was not their motto. In the aftermath of the globalisation process, the Govt. expects the RRBs to earn profits and generate internal resources to augment their capital base. This u-turn in the policy of the Government is harmful for the very existence of the RRBs. Referring to the issue of cross mergers and amalgamations in RRBs, Com.Nadaf told that the process will cause lot of damage to the RRBs and this move should be opposed tooth and nail. The need of the hour is that the Government should infuse more and more capital in the RRBs and strengthen them to play a better and meaningful role in the economic development of the country.

Taking a dig at the Rapid Action Programme, asking the branch Managers to give a completion certificate for the 100% financial inclusion of farmers is a potential threat, to the officers who may be pushed into the net of disciplinary proceedings. The programme should be implemented in a slow and steady manner so that all the farmers are linked to the credit programmes.

He deliberated at length on the New Pension Scheme implemented in the Banking Industry w.e.f 01.04.2010, for the new recruits after the above date. He emphasized the need to implement the Pension Scheme in the RRBs at the earliest. He also stressed the need for updation of Pension to remove the disparities among the pensioners. Deliberating on the issue of Compassionate Appointments Scheme he deplored the attitude of the Government on the issue as far as considering appointments in the Banks is considered. As the Scheme is still in vogue in many Public Sector undertakings, Govt. establishments, why the Bank employees are denied the facility? The powers that be are testing our patience on the issue and our fight for restoration of the policy continues, with all the force at our command.

Referring to the ensuing salary revision under the 10th Bipartite, he made an emphatic point that salary revision should be for the Industry level and not bank wise as is being contemplated by Khandelwal Committee recommendations. We have to wage a battle royal for achieving industry level settlement on salary, allowances and a fair compensation package. He gave a clarion call to the officers to be prepared for any struggle to be launched by AIBOC to clinch a fair wage revision and better service conditions. We should not forget the stellar role played by AIBOC leadership before the NIT headed by Justice Obul Reddy, which awarded parity in scales and allowances available to Officers of commercial Banks to the RRB Officers. This has remained a landmark achievement for RRB Officers.

Recalling the opposition mounted by AIBOC under the leadership of Com.R.N.Godbole and Com.Shantharaju, former General Secretaries, AIBOC, against the ill-advised economic policies of the Govt. of India, he told that the privatisation or merger of commercial banks was put on hold and this saved the Public Sector Banks from the onslaught of the global recession during the year 2008. It seems the Govt. has not learnt a lesson from the happenings around the globe, as the issue of mergers, dilution of Govt. equity in Public Sector Banks entry of FDI in the Banking Sector are still kept open. Our strong resistance to these unsavoury moves will continue to save our Public Sector Banks, the economy, our Agriculture etc. from ­­ruination. The need of the hour is broader unity, moving hand-in-hand, shoulder to shoulder to resist all these ill-advised policies of the Government. Let us stand united and wage a heroic fight against these retrograde steps, and victory shall be ours, he declared amidst thunderous applause and standing ovation of the audience.

Com.M.V.Karer, General Secretary, KVGBOA, welcomed the Guests, the delegates, invitees and observers Com.S.A.Neeralagi, President, KVGBOA proposed vote of thanks.

The Conference enlivened the spirit of AIRRBOF and the Comrades had the opportunity of listening to the top leaders of AIBOC and the function left an indelible impression, in the minds of all the participants.

We compliment Com.K.V.Karer and Com.S.A.Neeralagi, General Secretary and President respectively of KVGBOA and their energetic and enthusiastic team members who took pains to make the Conference and the Silver Jubilee Celebrations a grand success.

In the delegate’s session on 22.10.2012, there were elaborate discussions on the various issues concerning the RRB Officers and their movement. The General Secretary’s, report was adopted unanimously. Com.S.K.Bhattacharjee and Com.B.P.Singh were elected as General Secretary, and President respectively of AIRRBOF in the elections held at the end of the delegate session. We wish them all the very best in their endeavours to take the RRB Officers’ movement to greater heights of glory.

AIRRBOF ZINDABAD: ZINDABAD, ZINDABAD

AIBOC ZINDABAD: ZINDABAD, SINDABAD

With greetings,

Sd/-

(G.D.NADAF)

GENERAL SECRETARY