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Irregularities found in Reappointment of Retired Bank Employees


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Haryana: The Chief Minister’s flying squad has uncovered several irregularities in the reappointment of retired employees at Karnal Central Cooperative Bank Ltd (KCCBL). The investigation revealed that retired employees were rehired on a contractual basis even after surpassing the age of 65, allegedly in violation of existing rules.

Medical Fitness Rule Violations

The squad’s report highlighted that some retirees were reappointed based on medical fitness certificates issued by private doctors instead of the Civil Surgeon, as mandated by government regulations. The flying squad conducted a surprise inspection and reviewed the bank’s operations two days ago, uncovering these discrepancies.

Widespread Irregularities in Reappointments

The inquiry revealed that 78 retired employees and officers have been rehired at the bank, including 20 individuals over the age of 65. Furthermore, their salaries were determined without adhering to government policies, and the bank failed to seek mandatory approval from higher authorities for these appointments. “Guidelines clearly state that contractual reemployment requires prior approval from higher authorities, which the bank has not obtained,” said DSP Ajeet Singh, who led the inquiry.

Lack of Transparency in Hiring Process

According to DSP Singh, the reappointments lacked transparency, with no standardized procedure in place. Alarmingly, several rehired employees were assigned crucial responsibilities, including branch management.

One case involved an employee who was drawing an old-age pension alongside their salary from reemployment. “The matter has been referred to the relevant department for verification. Additionally, the General Manager has been instructed to obtain undertakings from all reemployed officials confirming they are not receiving old-age pensions while working at the bank,” DSP Singh added.

Festive Bonus Distribution Raises Questions

The inquiry also exposed discrepancies in the distribution of a festive bonus approved on October 28, 2024. The Board of Directors sanctioned Rs 97 lakh from the bank’s profits as an additional month’s salary for employees. This benefit extended to over 100 temporary employees hired under the HKRN scheme, raising concerns about the criteria for bonus distribution.

Non-Performing Assets Identified

The investigation further revealed that over 900 account holders with non-performing assets (NPA) owed a total of Rs 16.97 crore in loans.

Bank Leadership Responds

KCCBL Chairman Suresh Kumar defended the reappointments, stating that the decision was approved by the Board of Directors due to staff shortages. He explained that agendas passed by the board could be rejected by the representative of the Haryana State Co-Operative Apex Bank Ltd (HARCO) if necessary. The General Manager, Jai Parkash Soni, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.

HARCO Promises Action

HARCO Chairman Hukam Singh Bhati affirmed that no reappointments would be made for individuals over the age of 65. “Although there is a shortage of staff, we will ensure strict adherence to this rule. Additionally, we will investigate other irregularities,” he said. Bhati also emphasized that the organization opposes backdoor appointments and vowed to prevent such practices.

Next Steps

The findings of the CM flying squad have been submitted to higher authorities for further action. As scrutiny intensifies, the case underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to established guidelines in public sector institutions.

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