Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Writes to FM Nirmala Sitharaman Over Pending RRB Promotion Policy

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking her intervention in the long-pending approval and implementation of the revised promotion policy for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). In a letter dated October 27, 2026, Gehlot highlighted the need to revise the promotion policy and reduce the eligibility service period for promotions in RRBs in line with Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

Gehlot said the matter had remained pending for nearly a decade, adversely affecting the career progression and promotional opportunities of thousands of RRB officers and employees across the country. He urged the Finance Minister to intervene in the matter and ensure relief for RRB officers and employees who have been waiting for career advancement for several years.

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The letter emphasised that resolving the issue would provide much-needed justice to employees and help address their long-standing concerns regarding promotion opportunities. The letter brings attention to the long-standing demand for changes in RRB promotion norms, particularly the alignment of eligibility service requirements with those applicable to Public Sector Banks.

The Core of the Issue

The problem is not the absence of a promotion policy, but rather its outdated structure:

• Longer Waiting Periods: Under the existing policy, RRB employees must serve a longer mandatory period in a specific scale before becoming eligible for their next promotion compared to their peers in commercial banks.
• Lack of Parity with Public Sector Banks (PSBs): While commercial PSBs regularly update their promotion structures to fast-track talent and stay competitive, the RRB promotion policy has not seen a major structural revision in nearly a decade.

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) and political leaders are advocating for a revised promotion policy to reduce service eligibility criteria so employees can move up the ranks faster, establish complete parity with the service conditions, benefits, and career progression timelines enjoyed by PSB employees and improve morale and retention among rural banking professionals who face stagnation under the older rules.