High Court has ordered J&K Bank to stop promotion process of employees till further orders
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, on Tuesday, issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Bank in response to a plea concerning the promotion of Banking Associates (BAs). Simultaneously, the court directed the bank not to declare the outcome of the interview process initiated under the notification issued on January 11 of the current year.
Presiding over the petition, Justice Rahul Bharti’s bench instructed the J&K Bank to summon Banking Associates who achieved their status through promotion from the subordinate cadre for an interview. This is to be done alongside candidates shortlisted for the interview according to the notification released on January 11. The court emphasized the existence of the bank’s ‘Policy for Promotion of Workmen (Banking Associates, Assistants, and Banking Attendants),’ approved on July 13, 2022, which governs the recruitment and promotion of Banking Associates, Banking Assistants, and Banking Attendants.
What is the issue?
The petitioners argued that the Banking Associates in the bank can be categorized into two groups: those directly appointed after passing the IBPS examination and those promoted from the subordinate cadre.
According to the petitioners, the policy stipulates that 80 percent of promotions to the position of Assistant Manager (JMGS-I) officers should be through the promotion of Banking Associates, with the remaining 20 percent through direct recruitment.
For the 80 percent promotion from Banking Associates to Assistant Manager (JMGS-I), the policy recognizes two channels: the seniority cum selectivity channel and the fast track and merit channel. The seniority cum selectivity channel involves further classification for Banking Associates appointed after qualifying the IBPS examination and possessing seven years of regular service.
The issue raised by the petitioners is that, instead of undergoing an eligibility screening written test (objective type), as mandated by the policy for the seniority cum selectivity channel, they have been grouped with category two candidates under the fast track and merit channel. This has resulted in them having to take a written examination intended for candidates with three years of regular service.
The court observed that the petitioners believe they have been unfairly treated by being subjected to a written examination meant for the fast track and merit channel, rendering them ineligible for consideration in the interview process outlined in the January 11 notification.
Acknowledging the potential loss of a promotion opportunity for the petitioners, who have completed seven years of service as Banking Associates, the court issued notice to the bank. Meanwhile, it directed the bank to call the petitioners for an interview, along with the candidates shortlisted under the January 11 notification. The court further ordered that the outcome of the interview process should not be declared until the next hearing on February 28, 2024.
