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The Finance Ministry, as a ‘one time measure,' has tweaked the promotion policy in public sector banks for 2012-13. The move comes as the banks are staring at superannuation in large numbers in the next couple of years.
Failure to fill vacancies at key leadership positions of branch heads and regional heads could jeopardise business growth.
In view of the difficulties being experienced by these banks regarding non-availability of officers in the ‘zone of consideration,' annual performance appraisal report marks and cut-off date for eligibility for promotions, the Ministry has ‘relaxed' the promotion criteria.
The Ministry, in a communication, said the zone of consideration for promotion should be generally three times the number of anticipated vacancies. However, in case these many officers are not available, the zone of consideration could be at least two times the number of likely vacancies.
The board of directors of these banks can further relax the minimum eligibility criteria in the length of service by up to six months over and above the one year already provided in the guidelines issued in March.
Govt interfering
According to Mr S. Nagarajan, General Secretary, All Indian Bank Officers' Association, by issuing ad hoc promotion guidelines the Ministry is interfering with the autonomy of the banks.
“The relaxation in the minimum eligibility criteria will lead to officers with inadequate experience heading branches. This could have repercussions for banks business,” he said.
A senior bank official said the earlier zone of consideration for promotion of three times the number of anticipated vacancies would have ensured that competent officers got an opportunity to rise up the ladder.
The Ministry said officers against whom disciplinary proceedings are in process would be considered for promotion and the recommendations in respect of such officers would be kept in a sealed cover.
The requirement of minimum 75 per cent marks in the appraisal report in each year under consideration would be relaxed to the extent of 60 per cent for only those grades where passing of an examination by the Institute for Banking Personnel Selection is mandatory for promotion.
A retired bank officer said moving the goalposts from time to time when it comes to promotions is demoralising for officers. Meanwhile, the Ministry said the process for promotion for vacancies during the year must be completed before June of that year.
All transfer orders should be issued by June every year. However, transfer on promotion can be done after June as and when these become due.
The Ministry said, “Any transfer of officers after June, even on administrative exigencies, except on promotion, would require prior approval of board of directors.”
Taking into account the academic session and other relevant factors, the Ministry said the process of regular transfer of officers should be completed at the beginning of the year so that the staff are not put to undue inconvenience.
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