Question : REVISION OF PAY SCALE OF RRB STAFF

(a) whether the Government has revised the salary structure including pay, all other allowances and benefits for Regional Rural Bank Staff (RRBs) on 22.2.1991 and 20.03.1993 as per Bipartite Settlementin the Banking Industry?

(b) whether the order issued by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development revising the allowances etc. of RRB staff, causing disparity, has been challenged in different High Courts;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has advised the Sponsor Banks on 6.10.2005 to revise all other allowances and benefits of RRB staff as per 8th Bipartite Settlement in the Banking Industry;

(e) whether there is disparity between RRB staff and Sponsor Bank staff in terms of pay andallowances; and

(f) if so, the action taken by the Government for removing such disparity?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)

(a): On the basis of National Industrial Tribunal(NIT) Award dated 30.4.1990 and the recommendations of the Equation Committee dated 16.1.1991, the Government issued the instructions in terms of Provisions of Section 17 of the RRBs Act, 1976 on 22.2.1991 for implementation of NIT Award and recommendations of the Equation Committee, thereon. Subsequently, NABARD issued clarifications on the issues arising out of the Implementation of the NIT award read with Equation Committee recommendations, Staff Service Regulations, Recruitment & Promotion Policy etc. vide letter dated 20.3.1993.

(b) & (c): As per the information furnished by NABARD, Writ Petitions were filed by RRBs Officers Associations in the High Courts on the issues relating to festival advance, incidental expenses on transfer, leased accommodation and non inclusion of Rs. 100/- special pay in re-fixation of pay.

(d), (e)&(f): In terms of Government of India`s; letter dated 6.10.2005 the pay and allowances of RRB employees have been revised equal to the corresponding category of employees of nationalized banks. Further, the Sponsor Banks have been advised to negotiate the other allowances with the RRBs sponsored by them.