The Visually Impaired Bank Employees Welfare Association (VIBEWA) has submitted an urgent representation to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) regarding the transfer of employees with disabilities (PwDs), particularly blind and low-vision employees, in Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks and financial institutions. The representation is dated August 11, 2026.
Concern Over Transfers of PwD Employees
VIBEWA said it has received several complaints from PwD employees working in different Public Sector Banks. According to the association, banks are carrying out routine rotational transfers of disabled employees by citing CVC guidelines related to sensitive posts and mandatory rotation.
The association said that applying these transfer rules without considering the specific protections available to PwD employees can cause serious difficulties, affect reasonable accommodation and go against applicable guidelines.
No Transfer for PwD Employees in Non-Sensitive Posts
VIBEWA has strongly requested that employees with disabilities, particularly blind and low-vision employees, working in non-sensitive posts should not be transferred under the name of vigilance compliance.
The association said many visually impaired employees work in operational or specialised roles that are suitable for accessible technology. It argued that applying rotational transfer rules to such employees is an improper interpretation of CVC norms and can unnecessarily disturb their independent living arrangements.
DoPT and DFS Guidelines Should Take Priority
VIBEWA has also raised the issue of conflict between general CVC transfer guidelines and specific guidelines issued for employees with disabilities.
The representation refers to DoPT guidelines dated May 10, 2000, and March 31, 2014, which, according to VIBEWA, provide exemptions from routine rotational transfers for employees with disabilities and support posting them at their native place, near their home or close to their existing support network.
The association has urged the CVC to clarify that specific guidelines issued by DoPT, DFS and MSJE for disabled employees should take priority over general vigilance rotation rules, including in cases involving sensitive posts.
Alternative Arrangements Suggested
VIBEWA said that if moving an employee away from a sensitive post becomes unavoidable due to operational reasons, the employee should not automatically be transferred to another location.
The association has suggested that the employee should first be moved within the same building, branch network, station or administrative office and placed in a non-sensitive role wherever possible.
Consultation With Employees
The association has also requested that any transfer should be carried out only after full consultation with the concerned employee. Factors such as the employee’s local support system, mobility access, medical requirements and family assistance should be considered.
VIBEWA has further said that the new workplace must provide proper digital and physical accessibility, screen-reader compatibility and other necessary workplace support before the employee is transferred.
VIBEWA’s Main Demands
VIBEWA has requested the CVC, in consultation with DoPT, DFS and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), to issue a binding clarification to Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks and financial institutions.
The association wants the clarification to state that CVC vigilance guidelines should not be used to justify the transfer of PwD employees from non-sensitive posts. It has also requested that specific guidelines exempting disabled employees from routine and rotational transfers should take priority over general CVC rotation requirements.
Urgent Action Requested
VIBEWA said that transfer orders are currently being implemented across banks and that these transfers are causing personal and professional difficulties for visually impaired employees. It has therefore requested an early and favourable directive from the CVC. Copies of the representation have also been sent to DoPT, DFS, DEPwD and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
