Berhampur: UGBEA Supports AIRRBEA’s Protest against Divestment Plan in Rural Banks

Berhampur: The Utkal Grameen Bank Employees Association (UGBEA) on Monday joined the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association’s (AIRRBEA) protest against the Centre’s divestment plan.
Led by UGBEA Div Secretary UBBEA Hrushikesh Patro, the employees of UGB have observed a one-strike at regional office near Suba Rao square here opposing the government’s plan to divest its 50% share in each of the rural banks in favor of their respective sponsor banks.

The UGBEA has demanded formation of a national rural bank of India (NRBI), which will be totally delinked from existing sponsor banks.

Other demands of the rural bank employees include manpower planning as per the approved policy (Mitra Committee) for better service to the customers, adequate recruitment and promotion in time, amendment of promotion rules at par with sponsor banks and regularization of the daily waged/casual/contractual workers.
India has 43 RRBs with a network of around 22,000 branches mostly in the hinterlands to ensure banking facilities for farmers and artisans. These banks collectively employ one lakh people.

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association is the coordinating body of National Federation of RRB Officers & National Federation of RRB Employees.

43 RRBs across the country joined the protest today.