Wage Revision-Delay in GoI approval

NATIONAL BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION

c/o National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

Plot No. C-24, Block ‘G’, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400051

Ref. No.NBOA/ 120 A /20010-11 18 February 2011

The President/Secretary

National Bank Officers' Association

All Units

Dear Friend,

Wage Revision -Delay in Govt. of India approval

As you are all aware, the Wage Revision proposal as approved by our Board of Directors is pending with GOI since 15 November 2010. NBOA is also aware of the expectations and anxiety in the minds of our members regarding the undue delay in obtaining GOI approval for the same. In the meantime, Ministry of Finance, GOI sought numerous clarifications from NABARD on issues like Parity in Pay Scale of NABARD Officers with RBI and admissibility of Grade Allowance etc, which were promptly furnished to MoF. NBOA Representatives also met Hon'ble Minister of State for Finance, Shri N. N. Meena on 11 January 2011 and the officials of Department of Financial Services and OSD to Hon'ble Finance Minister on 25 January 2011 and explained them forcefully the background & justification for extending pay scale etc. to NABARD officers & employees on par with RBI.

Since the GOI approval is still awaited, All India Office Bearers of NBOA (President, Vice President, General Secretary, Organising Secretary, Treasurer & five Zonal Secretaries) met at New Delhi on 13,14 & 15 February 2011 to take stock of the situation and to chalk out the next course of action.

The meeting discussed the following issues:

• Wage settlement-Status & further course of action, in case the settlement is further delayed or not on the same line as in RBI
• The issue of non payment of salary & non-regularisation of leave of those transferred officers who have reported after a lapse of time
• The date and location of the next National Council Meeting

After taking stock of the situation, the NBOA Representatives sought appointment from Hon'ble FM, MoS, OSD to FM & DFS officials for conveying them the frustration and anxiety of NABARD officials regarding wage revision. On 14 February, NBOA Representatives met Hon'ble Minister of State for Finance, Shri N. N. Meena and conveyed him the anxiety and apprehensions of officers over the delay in wage revision. The background, justification, and statutory commitments of GOI to extend pay scale etc. to NABARD officers & employees on par with RBI was also explained to him. Hon'ble MoS was sympathetic & favourable to our cause. On 15 February 2011, NBOA Representatives met OSD to the FM and other DFS officials and expressed their concern at the delay in effecting the wage revision in NABARD. Certain issues pertaining to parity & grade allowance raised by the OSD were also clarified to his satisfaction. The officials were sympathetic and indicated that there is no cause for concern.

Attempts to meet the FM did not fructify as the Hon’ble FM was pre-occupied.

Friends, Our Top Management, including our ex-Chairman, HRMD, Officials of New Delhi RO, Office Bearers of New Delhi Unit and the members of NBOA all over the country, all have contributed in getting the wage proposal through the numerous hurdles that were encountered along the way. All members are requested to continue to be patient and also vigilant and to be ready for any action just in case any unfavourable decision is taken by the GoI on our wage proposal.

• As regards the National Council Meeting, it has been tentatively proposed to be held at Patna very soon.
• The matter regarding the regularisation of the leave of the transferees will be taken up with the management.
• A schedule for a sustained agitation has also been chalked out in case the settlement is not as per expectations.

Members are requested not to give credence to rumours and unsubstantiated "information" passed on by numerous well wishers.

Please keep the members informed & display on the Notice Board.

U.K.Mohanty
President