National conference of AIBEA adjourned amid disruptions
The 30th national conference of the All-India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) in Bengaluru started on April 19 was impacted by disruptions, leading to an indefinite adjournment of the delegates’ session.
The Delegate session of the AIBEA adjourned without completing the election agenda, on April 22.
Members demanded the removal of long-time office bearers CH Venkatachalam and Rambabu.
They demanded P R Mehta be elected, said delegates.
Delegates said that the 30th conference of All India Bank Employees’ Association will be remembered as one of the saddest moments in its history.
Due to unfortunate and unforeseen developments, the proceedings could not be brought to a proper conclusion and had to be adjourned sine die.
This unexpected turn of events calls for deep introspection, reflection, and collective resolve.
It is a moment to reassess, learn, and strengthen the unity and purpose that have long defined the organization.
The conference brought together delegates, office bearers, and participants from across the country.
The multi-day event included discussions, celebrations marking the union’s 80th Foundation Day, and key deliberations on organisational matters.
A circular dated late night on April 22 said that a section of participants started disturbing the proceedings and hence the presidium adjourned the proceedings.
“In this background, the Office Bearers met and unanimously decided that having regard to the continued disruption of the proceedings and the announcement of the presidium for adjournment, the Delegate Session of the Conference be adjourned sine-die until further notice,” the circular said.
The circular added that this decision was duly informed to the delegates and observers and thus the Delegates’ Session stood adjourned.
The circular said that the the 30th Conference of AIBEA commenced as scheduled on the April 19 at Bengaluru.
General Secretary CH Venkatachalam’s Report was presented and placed for discussion.
In the evening there was an impressive and colourful procession followed by inaugural public session.
On April 20, the 80th Founding Day of AIBEA, the happy occasion was celebrated with gaiety by over 3300 participants with various programmes - blood donation by 194 comrades, honouring the former office bearers of AIBEA, special lecture on Constitution and Democracy, honouring various achievers, release of publications, cultural program, etc.
On April 21, the Delegates’ Session was continued and 55 delegates participated in the discussions.
On April 22 morning the Delegates’ Session resumed for continuing the discussions and to complete the remaining agenda. Unfortunately, a section of participants started disturbing the proceedings and hence the presidium adjourned the proceedings, said delegates.
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The differences in AIBEA have been simmering for a long time and any dissenting voice was being muted by force. There are also rumours about handling of huge amount of union's money contributed by the members. Facts are not known, and an impartial inquiry by a govt agency would reveal the status, so as to absolve the leadership of the allegations, if found untrue. In any case, it's high time the retired employees vacated their union positions to let the glorious organization AIBEA continue to serve the employees. Abruptly closing the delegate session and not conducting the election of office bearers for the next term of 3 years, was not appropriate. The leadership must have heard the grievances of the delegates and taken appropriate decisions. This itself proves the motives of the incumbent leadership.
As per the Supreme Court and some High Courts rulings in the past, a retired member may be elected as Genl Secretary, subject to certain conditions, but cannot negotiate with banks on behalf of the working staff. This leadership also have hit the retired employees/officers who helped the bank and the union grow to the top level, blocking their due benefits. Having been retirees themselves, they signed an MoU with the Indian Banks Assn in 2015, that the retirees have no contractual relationship with the banks, which is absolutely false as per the statute, in the light of the banks recovering the bank's portion of the PF to create the pension fund out of which the pensions are being paid.
The Genl Secy Shri Ch. Venkatachalam and Secretary Shri B S Rambabu, who had retired some 17 years ago, have been occupying the positions against the norms laid down by the pioneers of the union, without letting the working employees to lead the organisation. Several allegations had been doing rounds in the membership that the Genl Secretary had compromised with the bankers and signed bipartite agreements incorporating clauses highly detrimental to the employees.