CIRCULAR No. 46/2016 TO ALL MEMBERS
DATE:16.11.2016
Dear Member,
RESURRECTING ZONAL SATRAPS
A new chapter is created on 8th November in the Economic history of India by demonetisation of
high value currencies. It was a surprise to everyone, including the bankers, who were supposed
to have major role in its implementation. The Government declared holiday on 9th November for
banking transactions was not enough to make necessary arrangements to face the unforeseen
circumstances that were going to emerge. Like other bankers, our Bank too had made preparatory
work on implementation and required guidelines were issued. The detailed guidelines issued
by Reserve Bank of India and the role to be played by Branches were communicated through
circulars. Still many doubts arose which were clarified by the concerned. The important aspect
in the scenario was whether our commanders were properly guided and had concern to help our
soldiers in the field. Whether the provision of additional manpower, getting sufficient supply of
currency notes and a fool-proof system to take care to keep the miscreants away etc. were made
available to the branches? It is reported that in many centres, the support from the Zonal Offices
was totally missing. When the war was declared, our commanders retracted, leaving the soldiers
to their fate. A few such instances, testify the scenario:
1.
We understand that Head Office permitted (based on RBI guidelines) branches to utilize the
services of our retired colleagues to handle the situation. The ZOs were informed accordingly
(for onward permission to Branches). However, the information never percolated down and
the branches had to struggle up to 11 or 12 P.M. in the night. In a few branches, our retired
colleagues volunteered (without any demand for compensation); but branches expressed
their inability to get their help in the absence of instructions from Zonal Offices. When a
branch called Zonal Office to provide the help of a retired colleague, the Deputy Zonal
Head advised the Branch Manager, ‘You avoid currency exchange stating that no currency is
available’ (instead of permitting the branch to utilize the services of a retiree).
2.
When the branches were struggling hard to get the new currency notes, a few Zonal Offices
advised the branches to make their own arrangements for collecting the cash from Chests/
other sources. In one such incident, the Zonal Head reportedly instructed three Branch
Managers to apply for leave on the day for having gone to fetch cash from a faraway place!
The Zonal Offices could have liaisoned with Currency Chests or linked Chests of other banks
to supply the required quantity of currencies to needy branches. It was tough time for the
branch staff even to move out to arrange the new currency/exchangeable notes and also
manage the long serpentine queues in the branch. There are instances of manhandling by
the furious members of public when the currency exhausted and they had to return empty
handed after a long wait. A few Zones have not even contacted the branches (which are
away from local Currency Chests) to know their fate.
One Zonal Head utilized the opportunity, going out of the way, to supply currency to another
bank (which is not linked to our Bank’s Chest) having their own Currency Chest (!) for reasons
best known to him.
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3. The confusion about implementation of currency exchange guidelines, in the absence of suitable
software, was creating fear in the minds of officers. Rumours were circulated by unknown entities
that the officers would be held responsible for non-compliance. A few banks could immediately
install their own software in tune with Govt. guidelines which our Bank could not provide in time.
4. In order to cater to the need of the hour, the Top Management had advised to explore the possibility
of recalling the people on leave depending upon the need. The instruction was not for a recall – enmass - making the employees to undergo serious inconvenience of cancellation of tickets incurring
huge loss and not being able to attend their near and dear relatives’ important functions like
marriage or other pre-committed unavoidable engagements etc. The moment the message was
received from Head Office, the Zonal Offices have started sending emails to the branches to recall
each and every employee. In one case, a Zonal Head instructed a Branch Manager to advise his
clerk to postpone his marriage! In another instance, a person on LFC was advised to come back
cancelling his travel tickets involving thousands of Rupees – a blind implementation of instructions
without analyzing need and practicability. However, these recall instructions were surprisingly not
applicable to a few executives.
In all the above instances, what is observed is lack of sensitivity and responsiveness on the part of a few
Zonal/Circle Offices to the imminent problem and guiding the branches in the time of need. What could
have become an opportunity to instill confidence in the minds of staff in branches, has turned out to be
an instance to indicate ‘don’t come to us with your problems.’ However, it is noteworthy that a few Zonal/
Circle Offices walked the extra mile to help the branches. We have reports that in a few Zones the Zonal
Heads or their deputies were sitting in the Currency Chests to ensure proper and timely distribution of
cash. We appreciate the proactive gesture of these Zonal/Circle Heads which is worth emulating by others.
The above are not stray instances. It is concerning to note the negative role of a few Zonal Offices
towards the problems of officers. There are a few Zonal Offices virtually behaving like Satraps (local
ruler). In one of the Zones in Karnataka, the language of the Zonal Head, despite many a counsel,
speaks volumes of his ill-tempered and immature behavior. His pet subject is denying leave to everyone.
Other few Zonal Offices feel that the power of transfer bestowed with ZO could be utilised to settle
personal scores with and establish superior ego over any officer in the Zone. They are not aware of all
the provisions of Transfer Policy (or they behave to be so). As and when they would like to exhibit the
power, orders of transfer would be issued quoting the principles of ‘prerogative’ and ‘Management’s
Unquestionable Right’. In another incident, a Zonal Head has transferred a performing Branch Manager
to a corner of the Zone, (demotivating the officer and others around) just to avenge the questioning of a
few unpalatable business decisions of the controlling office).
We hope the Top Management will advise these Satraps and avoid recurrence of such incidents which
only add to negativity and detachment, hampering the growth of the Bank besides being a blot on the
good HR Management policies. The earlier we do; better it is.
With Greetings,
[SATISH SHETTY]
GENERAL SECRETARY
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