Centre’s move to privatise RRBs opposed

Rajamahendravaram: Various Trade Union leaders have expressed concern over the central government's plan to privatise Regional Rural Bank (RRB) system in the country. They point out that the move will be a great loss to the people in rural areas and urged the government to immediately withdraw the proposal. 

Presiding over the Trade Union convention held at NGO Home here on Sunday, Trade Union leader CH Venkat Rao has said that as many as 56 rural banks with 21,500 branches in 676 districts of 28 states have been working for the wellbeing of 30 crore people in rural areas. The rural banks are earning a net profit of Rs 2,600 crore in the country, he said. 

Why the central government is trying to privatise the rural banks is a million-dollar question and there isno meaning in it. The trade unions 
will fight against the government in this regard,’’ he added. Theleaders demanded the government to sanction pensions to rural bank employees on par with other banks and regularise the services of contract employees.

The convention was held under the aegis of Chaitanya Godavari Grameena Bank Officers and StaffAssociation. AITUC leader M Satyanarayana, CITU leader S Murthi, EFI state general secretary Ajay, LI zonal secretary P Satish, UTF leader Shariff and others were present at the meeting.