Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110756500800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Grameena Bank staff stage dharna

Special Correspondent

KADAPA: Andhra Pragati Grameena Bank employees of Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur, Prakasam and Nellore districts staged dharna in front of the regional rural bank’s head office here on Friday.

All India Regional Rural Banks Employees Association State vice-president P.L. Ananda Reddy, CITU district president A. Raghunatha Reddy, APGB Employees Association general secretary C. Govindu and deputy general secretary G. Vengala Reddy said the protesters were demanding recruitment to ease the increased workload on account of opening of new branches, proposed introduction of core banking solutions and implementation of various government schemes.

There was no recruitment for the last two decades although nearly 2,000 employees retired during the period. Lamenting that employees retired without a single promotion, they sought grant of promotions to officer cadre to all the eligible employees.

Opposing the Thorat Committee’s recommendations on staffing norms as irrational, they demanded a review of branch categorisation.