NEED FOR A DISTINCT FORUM:
It has been noted with concern that, of late, the voluntary groups like officers’ associations/ federation turn themselves into autocracies and become “ NON-REPRESENTATIVE “ in their approach .The inabilities of office bearers to justify their calls for strikes and other kind of precipitate actions, on many occasions, lack conviction and they start demanding participation for the call in the name of trade union unity, which do not benefit its members. The actions can be justified when these office bearers have convincingly replied to the doubts of their members.
It is absurd to call for a unified action like strike when majority of office bearers are in dilemma about their actions and are unsure that whether the same call may deny / defer the achievement of better working conditions for their members. The concern becomes bigger, when the representatives start threatening their own comrades, instead of taking them into confidence and reaching to a conclusion by consensus. The very act of forcing its members to go for certain actions, not properly debated, by using authoritative measures raises serious concerns about the viability of the trade unions. This hurts the very purpose of formation of trade unions, which are meant to protect individual members from unjustified actions of the authorities.
In this situation, there is an urgent need for a forum (a pressure group within the association), where such issues can be properly debated and the trade union can be advised and brought forward for a better communication among its members. This would strengthen the long-term perspective of individual members and the trade union itself.
With the above backdrop, a forum named as “Bank Officers’ Progressive Forum” has been formed on 16.08.2008 with a handful of like-minded officers meeting in Mumbai and enrolling as members of the forum.
PREAMBLE OF THE FORUM:
“The forum would work to earn a better quality of life for its members by way of a representation in negotiations with management, enable the members to work without any fear caused through coercion by an individual/group, arrive at a course of action in the event of ideological differences through consensus, present and discuss all the concerns jeopardizing the interest of the members with the Association and propagate the progressive ideas and thoughts for debate/discussion before inducting as forum’s view points.”
FIRST MEETING HELD ON 16.08.2008 LEADING TO FORMATION OF THE FORUM:
Venue: CAB Mumbai
“We the following officers have attended a meeting at CAB, Mumbai on 16/08/2008 and have decided to form a forum for representing common concern of the officers and arriving at common issues by consensus pertaining to the problems faced by an individual/group. This forum will be a body that would interact all the outside agencies viz. trade unions, banks quasi-government, government, press and other agencies
The body also focuses on various issues related to HR policies, corporate strategies and other miscellaneous issues. Any other amendment in the forum will be done by an evolutionary process, due course. The forum also endeavors to include officers from all branches/officers of SBM and other like-minded banks.” (Excerpts from the forum-register)
SIGNIFICANT MEETING HELD ON THE DAY OF ILLOGICAL STRIKE i.e. 18.08.2008:
Venue: CDC Belapur
“Agenda: Taking stock of the situation after non-participation in irrational strike called against merger with SBI, specifically SBS merger, which has already taken place on 13/08/2008.
All the attending members reviewed the situation on today 18/08/2008 and were happy to note that about 70 like minded officers across the country in about 47 branches reported for duty. Members were of the view that majority of officers of AB’s were against the strike, but only a small number dared to come out of fear generated by office-bearer of the association. In SBH more than 500 officers are understood to have reported for duties. Similarly, in SBP more than 60 branches are learnt to have functioned today.
There is likelihood of some kind of reaction in the form of debate/discussion, which forum will respond to, in most appropriate fashion. Any remark against its members will be considered remark against the forum. “ (Excerpts from the forum-register)
An Invitation/Appeal: Quoting the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “ Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”, we appeal to all the progressive bank officers to live with dignity and invite to the Bank Officers’ Progressive Forum to enroll as members after deeply realizing the need of the existence of the forum and acceding to its preamble. Membership form is provided in Annexure. The printed form duly filled and signed may be forwarded to the Forum.
****************************************************************************************
MEMBERSHIP FORM
BANK’S OFFICERS’ PROGRESSIVE FORUM
MEMBERSHIP FORM
BANK’S OFFICERS’ PROGRESSIVE FORUM
I, ………………………………………………, Designation…………………., Employee
No……………………, presently working at ………………………………branch, have
agreed to join the Bank’s Officers’ Progressive Forum on this day, ………………,20…. I
I also agree to abide by the terms and conditions (to be arrived on mutual consultation in
due course) applicable to the members of this forum.
Signature: --
Name: --
Bank: -- State Bank of Mysore / Specify the Bank if other than SBM
Email-id: --
Suggestion-box: --
No……………………, presently working at ………………………………branch, have
agreed to join the Bank’s Officers’ Progressive Forum on this day, ………………,20…. I
I also agree to abide by the terms and conditions (to be arrived on mutual consultation in
due course) applicable to the members of this forum.
Signature: --
Name: --
Bank: -- State Bank of Mysore / Specify the Bank if other than SBM
Email-id: --
Suggestion-box: --
14 comments:
Let us make this forum a BIG success
A Forum under present circumstances was the need of the hour. With the changing existence and growth pattern, voice should not be suppressed."Freedom of Expression" is our fundamental
right and this would be the best platform to understand our right and duties towards entire officer fraternity.We should not succumb to
any threat.We should live with liberty,dignity and sovereignity shedding off selfish covers of caste,creed and regionalism and should work towards progressive ideology.
A great forum to initiate solution for the real issues.
This forum is a right step with right conviction,it should continue with bold step. It is right time that people of progressive thought should unite under umbrella of "Bank Officer's Progressive Forum". All the best I am also sending my membership form.Please let me know where to send it?
It is essential that the participant bank officers in India should realise that banking is a serious business in the service sector and by striking again and again , they are turning away those customers who are brought to the bank by lot of pursuation and assurances.In a highly competetive environment, the public sector bank employees are forcing the customers to go to private/foreign banks , by resorting to frequent strikes . The forum is a welcome step by the sincere bank officers and such efforts are required to bring in a freshness in the Indian Banking ,dominated by the Public Sector Banks.
The mumbai episode has given the speech to the aspirations of the common man (Read Officers). I always thought how can a politician rule over the masses without even fulfilling the wishes and aspirations of the common man. I thought Illetracy/Poverty/Hunger is the root cause of all these evil.
Until i joined the bank and founf that the story was no different .And i felt that The same old theory holds good for people in banks who were once considered to be the at par with IAS. Is there anything as such like Illetracy or Poverty. No .We are well paid , we are somewhat educated because we come after burning the midnight oil , so Illetracy cannot be the cause because we are Educated and Well paid Hunger also cannot be the reason .
Then the inner philosopher of mine said Illetracy / Poverty / Hunger is not the reason but Greed / Fear and Time are the (I said because we do not have time to see whats happening in our background)are the root cause that helps us in taking wrong decision. But in this case if greed is involved we would like to merge because we will be getting the better of what we have now(for the time beig forget about the greed of our beloved leaders). If fear then Mumbai episode can be compared to "The Revolt of 1857" where the foundation of liberalisation from fear started, and can consider that we are now overcoming Fear. Time : thats the most important thing in the process of our bonding. lets spare some time to understand each other and come out openly with what we really feel. It gives me satisfaction and beleive me it will give satisfaction to u also.
To,
All the bankers colleagues
Dear Sir/ Madam,
ALL INDIA SBI ASSOCIATE BANKS MERGER FORUM OPPOSED STRIKE CALLED” IN SEPTEMBER 08
The All India SBI Associate Banks Merger Forum General Secretary Ashok Meena and Vice President Dr. Om Prakash welcomed the strategy planned by State Bank of India and Government of India for acquisition of State Bank of Saurashtra to start the process of merger of all the associate banks with itself by March 2009 to face intensely competitive banking environment in India and abroad by introducing latest and innovative technology in computerization, world class infrastructural support and facilities, optimum utilization of available resources including training centre’s, existing branch and ATM network and highly talented staff etc. Both the representative of the all India forum addressed employee’s and officers of associate banks, State Bank of India, nationalized banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks in a series of meeting held at various places in the state of Rajasthan and other parts of India. A number of employee and officers participated from various states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Utraakhand, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Karnataka and other parts of India and favored merger and took decision for not supporting the proposed bank’s strike on 24-25 September 2008 by some of the bank unions. It was felt by majority of the employees and officers working in various banks and unions operating in different banks that the confederations are opposing merger mainly to safeguard their own interest and playing in the hands of some of the political parties. The central government had increased pay and allowances of its employee without resorting to such types of agitation programmes. Forum conducted special survey in which about 99 percent of staff favored merger of all associate banks with State Bank of India and Government of India was also requested to conduct a separate survey in case the need is felt. Merger Form is planning to launch a special website very soon to create adequate awareness about various benefits of acquisition of associate banks by SBI as well as to take direct feedback and suggestions from all bank staff. Forum representative said that about 47 branches of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur alone were remained open in the earlier bank strike. Similarly State Bank of Indore, some of unions in SBI, other associate bank and nationalized banks directly or indirectly, which were really interested in the development of banking industry and nation, supported merger and the same positions continued in other associate banks and nationalized banks to show resentment against unwarranted strike call.
Similarly, takeover of RRBs by NABARD would certainly ensure agriculture and rural development. Agriculture sector may start driving overall GDP growth rate at the rate of 9-12% on consistent basis leading towards rural prosperity and happiness which would ultimately improve productivity in agriculture and allied activities as well as curb suicidal tendency among the farmers, rural youth and socio-economically deprived classes...
The forum has specially involved Dr. Om Prakash and Dr. Sarita a modern management, health and spiritual guru’s to cleanse the body, mind and soul of the bank staff ( Both were awarded a number of state, national and international awards by various association, boards, institutions and international universities including International Humanitarian Award for development and promotion of natural therapies and development of banking industry). Dr. Om Prakash was recently awarded highest level Health Excellency Award by the Governor of Sikkim in an International Conference held at Gangtok. Energy of bankers is being increased through various natural therapies like naturopathy and yogic sciences, acupressure, sujog, music therapy, reiki, any time meditation, colour therapy, psycho-therapy, smile meditation, and magnet therapy etc. to improve their confidence and to enable them to raise their voice against the wrong things happening in banking industry by resorting regular bank strikes on unreasonable and unethical ground, He urged the employee and officers unions, associations and confederations that they must keep in view the welfare of their organizations and banks including progress of nation as unwarranted strikes mainly destabilizes the essential banking services and heart sentiments of the ordinary people, halt all industrial, business and other services and therefore affect each and every person of the society and nation.
Dr. Om Prakash Vice President of the merger forum and a national level banker had stressed that acquisition of associate banks by SBI would not only start amalgamations, acquisitions, mergers and takeover a number of other banks in India but also the same is likely to be continued in foreign countries by State Bank of India to become market leader in the International Banking. The consolidation of the branches’ network for eliminating duplication of branches in the same geographical area would start immediately to ensure banking services in unbanked areas specially in semi-urban and rural areas where vast potential for all types of banking operations is available as envisaged in potential linked credit plans (PLP) of NABARD for increasing business as well as in the implementation of various welfare schemes and programmes of state, central government and foreign aided projects. He added that the government banks would be heading towards achieving expected annual growth rate of 35% annually in its loans and advances portfolio during next 3 years due presence of their branches in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.
He is also emphasizing that once acquisition process is completed, the staff of other banks would get all terminal benefit on the lines of SBI staff including provident fund and pension etc. In addition, training comparable with international standard may become inevitable. The cost of operation and leakages are going to be on lower side due to relocation of the branches and ATMs and proper utilization of staff. The profitability, efficiency and effectiveness of the staff are going to be increased up to a greater extent. While explaining the reason for supporting SBI Mr. Om Prakash indicated that SBI must become a global bank as SBI is the only Indian Bank to find a place in the Fortune Global 500 List, ranked 6th in the Economic Times Market Cap List(up from 50 last Year), placed at 70th in the Top 1000 Banks Survey by Banker Magazine, July 2007,(up from 107 last Year), is the No.1 Syndicator of domestic debt in Asia Pacific REGION,No.1 in Mergers & Acquisition Deals (31 Deals of US$19.8bn), market Leader in financing SSIs with a market share of 29%, No.1 provider of Agri. Finance and No.1 in Credit Linking of Rs 9.35 lacs SHGs, Readers digest – May’07Golden award for being among the two most trusted banks in India Up gradation of ratings by Citi group/ Morgan Stanley Moody’s/ S & P,3rd in the Economic Times Brand Equity Ranking Top 50 most trusted service brands in the service sector, Business Standard has Awarded “The Best Banker of the Year Award to Shri O.P.Bhatt” for his initiative to reenergize the Bank, CNN IBN Network 18 has selected Shri O.P.Bhatt as Indian of the Year – Business 2007 for showing how a public sector behemoth can flex its muscle in the ferociously competitive Banking Sector, Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability and Indian Merchants Chamber has awarded the Transformational Leader Award 2007 to Shri O.P.Bhatt for leadership, charisma, inspiration and intellectual stimulation for the entire SBI team. SBI has bagged the awards for ‘Most Preferred Bank’ and ‘Most Preferred Brand for Home Loan’ in CNBC Awaaz Consumer Awards in August 2007 and merger would improve its rating in every field in the international arena.
Indian customers started feeling the intricacies of private banks due to heavy interest rates and a number of charges in one and other names and therefore are again turning towards nationalized banks as government banks follows RBI, NABARD and government guidelines and advises and therefore working for the welfare of the people and state, All types of customers including businessmen, entrepreneurs, farmers, women, self help groups and others are going to be benefitted in a big way through adoption of latest technology in computers, software and other digital machines including music, colour , smile and psycho therapy and similarly other infrastructural support and services etc. “Prakash said”.
On earlier occasions also a section of the SBI Staff Federation clerical staff felt that it does not make sense to oppose the mergers, since it did not oppose the merger of State Bank of Saurashtra. In fact, the SBISF did not participate in previous nationwide strike called by the SBIOA against the State Bank of Saurashtra merger. The SBISF did not oppose the SBS merger because the SBS clerical staff has been its members for over three decades. The merger would mean better superannuation benefits for the SBS staff. A senior leader of the SBISF said, ‘’Staff of the State Bank of Saurashtra have been members of the federation for almost three decades, so we could not oppose the merger. How can we now oppose the merger of the six other associate banks?” The federation agreed to the merger last year.
SBI chairman O P Bhatt said earlier that there was no employee backlash against a planned merger of SBI with State Bank of Saurashtra, and said that such strike would not hinder the merger.
While experiencing the opinion of the public, Sh. Rajendra Prasad, working in an insurance company and a sufferer due to repeated banks strikes, said that the bank staff cannot hold their customers for ransom by resorting to strike. An affected customer can file a petition before the Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum and seek compensation and cost for ‘deficiency in service’, for being denied of service. Banks are meant to provide service to its customers and if the employees have differences with the bank management/government, it is not the concern of the customer. "They should not go on strike. If someone is in dire need of money, she cannot withdraw it on the day of bank strike," who would be held responsible if any one’s relatives dies due to non depositing of required surgery amount in the hospital for heart surgery or at the time of major accident taken place etc despite having sufficient money in bank account said Jatin Kumar a customer
The merger would improve certainly improve efficiency, effectiveness and image of all state run government banks in India with modern technology and new market and social developmental orientation as global banks can take easily take cares of all government sponsored schemes and programmes including spreading of extension of banks products and services at the doorsteps of people in every nook and corner of our country.
We have already addressed such letters to the PM, Finance Minister, Governor RBI, Chairman/MDs of NABARD, SBI, All Associate Banks, press and print media by covering above aspects and solicit your timely cooperation and support in arranging merger of all associate banks and other banks in SBI and takeover of regional rural banks by NABARD in the interest of Indian Banking, Agriculture and Rural Development and nation to become a vibrant global bank with latest technology, infrastructure, new and innovative banking and new culture to face stiff competitions with multinational banks in India and abroad,
You may arrange press conferences with press and media, arrange to issue press releases and motivate your colleague and other bankers in your area of operation, district and state. Names of the active members along with his bank, branch, office, mobile,email ID and landline numbers, who can lead in fulfilling our objectives for the noble cause, after seeking his / her prior consultation, may be given to us at the earliest to enable us to finalize charismatic active volunteer leaders of the forum all over India.
(Ashok Meena) (Vinod Agarwal) (Dr. Om Prakash) (Hemraj Mahavar )
General Secretary President Vice President Organizing Secretary
MNos.9414047988 9799058386 9828386782
Email ID
Ashokmeena.sbi@gmail.com omprakash1960@gmail.com
Dear friends SBI federation has given call for indefinite strike in the month of October. They are shedding crocodile tears on the burning wounds of ours "Terminal Benefits". Why suddenly they woke up and realized that AB's Officers are not getting the terminal benefits they are enjoying. We shall not participate in the strike call of 24th and 25th September 08 and show our strength so Federation has to rethink their strategy of going on indefinite strike. They wants industry level pension by using merger as tool for negotiation with SBI management. Lets deny them the opportunity and show our association (ABOA) also that we mean business.
Dear friends,
All India SBI Associate Banks Merger Form had been motivating all the staff of associate banks and others for not participating in the strike called on 24-25 September 2008. Motivated about over 500 staff of State Bank of Bikaner and jaipur, RRBs, Commercial Banks and others personally at various places at Udaipur, Bikaner and Jaipur centres including bankers participated from different parts of India especially belonging to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, M.P. West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh,, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Delhi and Pubjab States etc, they have been motivated to that extent tht they can motivate a number of employee and officers of banks in their area of operations and their other colleague functioning any where in India. Besides, personal meetings, we are planning to contact through posters, email,SMS, telephone and mobile phones. If you are interested in receiving posters, newspaper clippings and letters you may please send your email at the following address: omprakash1960@gmail.com
Mobile No.09799058386
Any forum, association, employee, officer of bank may issue press release, express their views to their local and national newspapers, magazines and channels and coordinate by organising meetings, seminars in the interest of development of bankers and Indian Banking to intensify the stir against bank strike announced.
Dr. Om Prakash
Vice President
All India SBI Associate Banks Merger Forum
Dear friends,
While sending email to merger forum, please also ensure to mention your bank and branch, mobile, telephone number and email address should be in gmail as the same more convenient and we are facing a lot of problems in sending newspaper clippings, photos and other things to the interested people. Other email IDs have limited spaces and therefore most of our such message are being returned.
Thanking you for your cooperation
Om Prakash
Vice President
All India SBI Associate Banks Merger Forum
Be Confident, Become Fearless, Energize, Fix the Target and Win the Race
ALL INDIA SBI ASSOCIATE BANKS MERGER FORUM
A-47, Shyam Colony, Tonk Road, Jaipur (Rajasthan)-302017
To all banker’s colleagues,
WHY MERGER\ ACQUISITION:
The present salary of SBS employees is protected subject to the provisions and the service conditions, as may be made applicable to them from appointed date
The provisions of settlement dated 22nd July 2003 relating to special compensatory allowance as prevailing in SBI shall also be applicable in SBI will be applicable to SBS employees
All SBI terminal benefits are being made available to SBS Employees. For the sake of clarity, SBS employees will get pension, gratuity and Bank’s contribution to Provident Fund (with interest), as available to SBI employees, from their respective date of their confirmation in the services of SBS
In order to ensure that SBS employees are not at a disadvantage due to offering of SBI terminal benefits to them, an option will be given to SBS employees to either accept the SBI terminal benefits or to continue with SBS terminal benefits presently available to them in SBS
Any other benefits/ facilities available to SBS employees but not available to State Bank of India employees shall stand withdrawn after acquisition
Medical Benefit Scheme as applicable to SBI employees shall be applicable to SBS Employee also
All the miscellaneous benefits/ facilities such as provision of uniform, reimbursement of cost of briefcase/ newspaper/ conveyance/ entertainment/ out of pocket expenses, overtime, group insurance, scholarship etc. shall be available only as per schemes applicable to SBI Employee. Any other additional benefits/ facilities available to SBS Employee, but not available in SBI, shall stand withdrawn
The scheme relating to loans and advances as in vogue in SBI will be applicable to SBS Employees after merger. The loans and advances available by SBS Employees prior to merger will continue on same terms and conditions as applicable in SBS, till repayment
Leased residential accommodation the arrangement prevailing in SBI will be extended to SBS employees
NO REFERENDUM CALLED BY THE RESPECTIVE BODY
GOI AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED REVISION OF PAY SCALES OF GOVT. EMPLOYEE
99.9% OF BANK SAFF ARE HAPPY WITH THE MERGER
An Indian Bank- SBI: MUST BECOME INTERNATIONAL BANKING MARKET LEADER
How to support merger: To remain open your branches on 24-25 September and 20 October 2008 without fear and full of energy to get sure success in merger/ acquisition by SBI. REPORT TO THE FORUM REPRESENTATIVES IN WRITING WITH A COPY TO CHAIRMAN SBI AND FINANCE MINISTER IN CASE OF ANY HARRASSMENT ETC.
Ashok Meena Vinod Agarwal Dr. Om Prakash Hemraj Mahavar
General Secretary President Vice President Org. Secretary
+919414047988 +919810438557 +919799058386 +919828386782
Email ID-omprakash@gmail.com
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