Kangra central co-op bank GMs proceed on leave, issued notice

All does not seem to be well within the Dharamsala-headquartered Kangra Central Cooperative Bank (KCCB) if the recent goings-on are any indication. After the Managing Director skipping the board meetings lately, the situation has further escalated with both General Managers of the bank, too, staying away from the meeting.

Some retired and serving employees say if the situation does not improve soon, the bank as well as the its employees might have to face many problems in future. They said they were unable to comprehend why the top officials were skipping the meeting, especially at a time when the bank was passing through a critical times with its NPA in the doldrums.

GMs Satvir Minhas and Amit Gupta proceeded on leave on the day of the board meeting on health grounds. As per Board of Director (BoD) members, both the officers were informed a long time ago to be present in this important meeting.

Talking to The Tribune, bank Chairman Kuldeep Pathania said, “Despite prior intimation, the GMs skipped the meeting on health grounds. We have issued a notice, asking them to present a certificate from the medical board. Their powers have been snatched. It is a serious matter to proceed on leave while the Assembly session is on.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the General Managers play a significant role from sanctioning loan to releasing salary, pension and other allowances.

Whatever decision the BoD takes in a meeting, the proceedings are signed by the Managing Director and General Manager of the bank.

Meanwhile, the BoD has decided to enhance the interest rate for cooperative societies by .25 per cent fulfilling their long-standing demand. Also, a bonus of 8.33 per cent was announced for the KCCB employees.

Around 1,300 employees who are serving in the 220 bank branches in the state and outside are desperately looking for an early settlement as the conflict is denting the image of the bank.