National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a Constitutional body set up under Article 388 of the Constitution of India. One of the mandate of the Commission is to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Castes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards as well as to inquire into specific complaints with respect to deprivation of such rights/safeguards of the Scheduled Castes.

 

2. In order fulfil the constitutional mandate, Shri Vijay Sampla, Hon’ble Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes along with Vice-Chairman (Shri Arun Halder), Member (Shri Subhash Ramnath Pardhi), Member (Dr. Anju Bala) and officers of the Commission held review meeting of two nationalized banks viz. the Indian Bank and the Indian Overseas Bank with respect to implementation of reservation policies and other safeguards as provided to Scheduled Castes (SCs) under the Constitution and any order of the Government. The review meeting held in Chennai on 02.08.2022 & 03.08.2022. While the review meeting of Indian Bank was held on 02.08.2022, the review meeting of Indian Overseas Bank was held on 03.08.2022. This is the first time that such a review meeting of these two Banks have been conducted by the Commission.

 

3. In order to have a fruitful review meeting and as well as to ascertain the grievances/problems of SCs in a better perspective, the Commission first held a meeting with representatives/office bearers of Scheduled Caste Welfare Associations and the issues raised by them were also taken up with management of the Banks.

 

4. During the meeting, the commission observed that representation (number of SC beneficiaries) in some of the flagship schemes of the Government is viz. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojna (PMAY) etc. are not adequate.Also in case of schemes which are specifically for SCs viz. Venture Capital Funds for SCs, Credit Enhancement Scheme for SCs, Banks officials are not aware of it. So the penetration schemes among the target people i.e. SCs is very less. Banks have been advised to given preference to SCs in such flagship schemes of the Government as well as to sensitize their officials about the Govt. Schemes which are specifically for SCs.

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5. Bank Management have been advised to: -

(i) It came to the notice of the Commission that Safairkaramcharis are neither being employed on regular basis not being hired through outsourcing agency. Banks have been advised to fill all the posts of Safai Karamcharis either on regular basis or through outsourcing agency; instead of privately hiring such Safai karamcharis; so that they may get the benefit of Provident Fund, Employees Group Insurance Scheme (EGIS), Employees Health Insurance Scheme (EHSI) etc.

(ii) Since long there is backlog vacancies of SCs. Banks have been advised to launch Special Recruitment Drive to fill up backlog vacancies of SC quota.

(iii) SC employees’ career prospects are getting adversely affected due to their long tenure of posting in Rural areas, Banks have been advised to adopt a timely &transparent transfer policy and ensure that no SC employee remain posted in Rural Areas for longer period as compared to the other employees as longer period of stay in rural areas affect their career prospects.

(iv) It was found that there is inordinate delay in disposal of certain disciplinary proceedings against SC employees. Banks have been advised to take immediate necessary action for quick disposal of disciplinary cases of SC employees.

 

 

6. During the review meeting, it was observed that grievance redressal mechanism and records management with regard to disposal of grievances of Scheduled Caste employees are not up to the mark. Grievances of SC employees not disposed of to its logical end. Banks have been advised to maintain these data properly, dispose of grievance of SC employees after thorough examination/ investigation of the case.

 

7. Bank managements have also been advised to hold periodical meetings with Scheduled Castes Employees Associations, participation of top management of the Banks in such meetings and give a patient hearing to their grievances with a positive mind-set.

 

This press release issued by National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

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