Himachal Gramin Bank unions stage protest against management

Himachal Gramin Bank (HGB) chairman Satish Kumar, on seeing the intensity of the ongoing hunger strike and proposed indefinite strike from July 16 by the HGB unions, has invited the employees' union leaders for a talk, on Thursday.

Himachal Gramin Bank (HGB) chairman Satish Kumar, on seeing the intensity of the ongoing hunger strike and proposed indefinite strike from July 16 by the HGB unions, has invited the employees' union leaders for a talk, on Thursday. Kumar has assured the union leaders to fulfill their demands within a time period of one month. HGB is a rural bank working in Mandi and Kullu districts of the state and is supported by Punjab National Bank (PNB).

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The HGB employees' and officers' associations had organised a protest against the bank management at the HGB head office in Jawahar Nagar area on Wednesday.

Officers' organisation vice-president DC Sharma said that the management had appointed the district coordinator officers (DCOs), whereas the bank recruitment and promotion policy had no such provision.

The organisation's general secretary MP Soni said that the management had introduced new transfer policy without consulting the employees association and provisions of the new policy were not at all in favour of the employees and officers of the bank.

Bank union leaders alleged that the general manager (GM), human resources and development, MS Chauhan was found to be involved in scams in the past and an inquiry by the bank's chief vigilance officer was underway.

"Punjab National Bank (PNB), parental bank of HGB, should not depute a person at the post of GM who is facing corruption charges and an inquiry. The GM is a responsible post and only an honest and hard working person should be handed over responsibility of the welfare of employees," said Sharma.

The leaders said that the associations were demanding removal of Chauhan as he could tamper with records and this could affect genuineness of the inquiry against him.

"Moreover, at a time when the ,GM is facing a departmental inquiry in a corruption case against him, the PNB authorities have handed over the power of transfers of the HGB employees to him. Employees now fear harassment and involvement of corrupt practices in transfers in the future," said Sharma.

He further said if bank management failed to roll back the new transfer policy and appointment of DCOs as well as the GM's removal, then both the unions would start a hunger strike from July 16.