managerial autonomy for public sector banks

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

National Common Minimum Programme provides, interalia, that Public Sector Banks will be given full managerial Autonomy. With a view to enable Public Sector Banks to be better equipped with greater operational flexibility to transact business more efficiently, Government has issued a blueprint in making room for such autonomy to provide the Public Sector Banks with a level playing field so as to compete effectively with the Private Sector Banks in India. The Board of Public Sector Banks will enjoy freedom to carry out their functions efficiently without any impediment, subject to statutory requirements, Government Policy prescription and regulatory guidelines issued by RBI from time to time. Banks will be allowed freedom of action in the following areas:-

Pursue new lines of business as part of overall business strategy.
Make suitable acquisitions of companies or businesses, close/merge unviable branches, open overseas offices, set up subsidiaries and exit a line of business.
Decide all Human Resource issues relating to the Bank, including staffing pattern, recruitment, placement, transfer, training, promotions, pensions etc.
Prescribe standards for categorization of branches, based on volume of business and other relevant factors.
Prescribe essential academic qualifications, minimum qualification standards and modalities of promotion/recruitment to various categories.
Undertake visits to foreign countries to interact with investors, depositors and other stakeholders.
Lay down policy of accountability and responsibility of Bank officials.
The Board of Directors of stronger Banks with capital adequacy ratio of 9% or more, net NPA of less than 4%, net profits over the last 3 years and minimum owned funds of Rs.300 crores, will have additional autonomy for framing their own HR policies and procedures for recruitment, for creating additional posts of General Managers, for sanctioning differential pay linked to performance within the pay scales decided after negotiations and for deciding the amount of contribution to be made to the staff welfare fund.

BSC/BY/GN-47/05