TGB wants formation of NRBI, denounces proposed privatization bid

In protest against the proposed privatization of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) by the Union Government, officers, staff and retired employees of the Tripura Gramin bank (TGB) held a sit-in demonstration in Agartala on Friday (July 22).

Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) Employees Association, TGB Officers Union, TGB Retired Association jointly held a protest in support of 12 charter point demands.

The agitating Bank employees also demanded also demanded setting up of National Rural Bank of India (NRBI) instead of linking with a Sponsor bank.

Besides they also raised voice demanding parity of wages and pensions with that of the Nationalised banks, regularization of casual workers etc.

As a part of an All-India mass agitation program, a sit-in demonstration was held in front of the Tripura Gramin Bank Head Office in Agartala today. Around 207 employees and officers from various branches of Tripura Gramin Bank participated in the demonstration.

Addressing the protestors, Ratna Banerjee, the joint convener of the agitating bank organizations proposed the formation of a presidium.

General Secretary of Tripura Gramin Bank Officers Union, Sanjay Das, General Secretary of Tripura Gramin Bank Employees Association Ratna Banerjee, All India Leader Sameer Debbarma, Secretary of Bank Employees Federation of Tripura Jahar Lal Dey, Vikas Debnath on behalf of Retired Staff Association and Odisi Chakraborty of All India Women’s Branch addressed the agitating staff of the Bank.

Notably, the agitation program started on July 15 and in the month of September, a one-day strike will be observed by the Gramin Bank.

The employees voiced against linking the Gramin Bank with Sponsored Bank and alleged several lakhs of rupees are being spent to meet the demands and requirements of the Sponsored Bank officers who come in deputation in the TGB.

Venting anger at the role of the sponsored banks’ on deputation, the TGB leaders demanded the government to remove Gramin Bank from the Sponsor Bank and link all Gramin Banks together and create the National Rural Bank of India (NRBI). The staff also said that their promotion policy should be maintained properly.

The staff further alleged recruitment process of the bank is not being done in an accurate manner. Moreover, demands have been raised to start the old pension system by cancelling the New Pension System. They also demanded equal pay for equal work.