VALUABLE ASSETS IN BANKING!

IT'S INTEGRITY
THAT'S MOST
VALUABLE ASSETS
IN BANKING!

The Bank Employees come from same society, from where rest of people come in public life, be it political leaders, bureaucrats, civil servants, social workers, peasantry, people of trade and industry etc.

But, what's the most valuable assets of any organization or in broader sense Nation, it's undoubtedly the integrity of people. The Society or Nation is shaped by peoples' virtues & integrity.

Second point, what's the bench mark of success of professionalism?

It can't be measured by certain achievements, but by a single yard of 'satisfaction' that people or their organization deliver.

How many criminals are booked, prosecuted and punished is not a success that merits in professionalism, but in real sense professionalism lies in zero crime rate.

MeProfessionalism can't be rated high as to how many people are treated by a Doctor or Hospital, but by the outcome that how many people are cured, how many diseases are eliminated or the society is how healthy.

In Banking success of professionalism, best way, can't be measured by the success of different growth parameters, by by the 'satisfaction' that bankers deliver to people who come to them.

There is a very piculiar 'ingredient' in banking on which it is run. It's the 'integrity' of it's workforce. Banks enjoy sky high public trust and faith, because the integrity of it's workforce is pucca & ever matchless.

People come in Banks with faith and go with confidence. People come in Banks with confidence and go with satisfaction.

Banking people maintain high morale ground to treat customers as their patron, by their service and behavior. People leave their money and valuable belongings in Banks, well assured of protection and safe handlings.

However, in such a big, about 10 lakh, humanforce and voluminous transactions of varying nature, faults & flaws are natural, but by day end they all are set right, is no less than the magic. Banks close every day with match of total assets and liabilities penny wise.

In such giant industry, dealing in cash & kind monies, such a wonderful situation is surely the success of professionalism. One should be proud of it. Bank employees are Armed Force, who guard people's wealth and assets, ensure safe transfer and transit of voluminous transactions in lakhs/ crores every day around the clock, 365 days.

I was talking about the 'integrity' of people and when it comes to banking workforce, I can say, there is zero tolerance policy in 'integrity' issue.

I would like to share a true story, how 'integrity' was adjudged in banking context. An Internal Inspector reached to a Bank Branch before the branch was opened for inspection. He wait on. When cash was to be opened, he introduced himself and carried out cash checking. At the same time, he checked petty cash box ( meant to keep postage money) and found 2 annas shortage in petty cash. On this basis concerned clerk was dismissed. Dismissal matter ultimately reached to Hon'ble Supreme Court.

Employee's side was argued by a top leader of Banking Union, who urged that matter was of just 2 annas shortage and punishment of dismissal was too harsh, disproportionate and capital in nature.

Hon'ble SC observed, look it's not a matter of small money of 2 annas. It's matter of 'integrity'. Today he got the opportunity to embezzle 2 annas. Tomorrow if he gets opportunity he can do it for thousand or lakhs. With this plea, dismissal was held right by SC, imagine, just for 2 annas. It establishes the importance of 'integrity' as most important ingredient of banking workforce.

It is collective responsibility of all stake holders, be it owners, employees, officers, management, society and users to maintain and enrich success of professionalism and basic ingredient of 'integrity' in operational life. Quality shouldn't deteriorate, it's beautiful ornament. Honesty & sincerity is the backbone of integrity of banking workforce..

-J. N. Shukla
PRAYAGRAJ
9559748834/
jagat.n.shukla@gmail.com

24.8.2019


____________------_______________________________

Petition to:

Shri Narendra Modi Ji,
Hon'ble Prime Minister,
Government of India,
NEW DELHI

&

His Companion Hon'ble Cabinet Ministers,
Government of India,
New Delhi

Respected Sirs/ Madams,

            Sub: Bank Pensioners' Pension Revision:

We beg upon you to please  condone our audacity
and allow us to submit something about the agonies of about 5 lakh Bank Pensioners, similar to OROP issue of Defense, dragged over last 25 years.

All along 5 years of 2014-2019, we made countless representations to your good offices. Several representations have been made to new govt and our representatives have had met Hon'ble Finance Minister and other Ministers. So, the issues are well placed in the knowledge of ministry concerned.

We beg to invite your kind attention to the miserable financial conditions of Bank Pensioners, whose Pension has not been revised, ever since it was introduced from 1.1.1986.

All our efforts failed and couldn't impress upon Hon'ble FM  to look into the pathetic conditions of Bank Pensioners, who are languishing under financial distress for last 25 years.

We seek your kind indulgence & support, being ultimate Authority, in this regard. You all would be sad to know, Bank Pensioners get Pension fixed on Pay they drew last on retirement.

We very earnestly request you all to please take in notice the Pay structure of 1986s onward to 2012, during which Banking wages were revised on 5 occasions and further 6th revision is in process from 2017.

Family Pension is just 15%, making one's living worst & miserable, in 4/5000 rupees.

No medical support or any kinds of help from banks to retirees. Mediclaim Policy Premium is soaring between 25000 to 35000 p.a. Pertinent point is: how such hefty premium could be borne by poor pensioners, which is more than 2 months' Pension or 5 months' Family Pension? As a result, over 65% pensioners couldn't take mediclaim cover and they are left to die of disease and hunger. They are from clerical & peon cadre.

For the sake of humanity and to protect us from hunger & disease, please take up our under noted demands for kind consideration and arrive at some logical conclusion to part justice to about 5 lakh Bank Pensioners.

Our Pension is similar to RBI. Our Pension Agreement, 1993 is under ID Act, which says, 'all other terms and conditions, including Pension revision shall be as per RBI Pension Scheme'. Now,  RBI pension is revised. In terms of Agreement, referred to above, our Pension should also be revised on same terms and conditions, as done in RBI.

Our Pension Payment doesn't cost to or cause any financial burden on Banks as it is paid from the income of Pension Fund, contributed by Pensioners in their service time. However, in case Banks will have to cough up few crores, it shouldn't matter for them, since for financial reasons, if wage revision cant be denied, how Pension Revision can any more be denied. Justice must prevail. Bank pensioners need is greater than the profit need of Banks.

Our issues are as under:

1. Minimum health cover at Banks cost.
    Presently Premium is borne by Pensioners.

2. Family Pension Revision at 30%.
    Presently it is 15%, too meagre & unsustainable.

3. Pension Revision on RBI line. Pension Agreement,
    1993 is under ID Act, which mentions revision will
    be as per RBI Pension Scheme.
   

4. 100% DA to pre-2002 retiree. Discrimination and
     Gratuity Decisions, Court cases must end.

5. Quarterly DA to Pensioners, as in
    Case of regular employees/officers.

Regards,

J. N. Shukla
National Convenor
Forum Of Bank Pensioner Activists
B-26, Govindpur Colony,
Prayagraj 211 004

Dated 14th Aug., 2019

9559748834
jagat.n.shukla@gmail.com