In the recent past, the central government has made major changes in many public sector banks. Within the last three years, the Modi government at the Center has reduced the number of public sector banks from 27 to 12. Now the privatization of many banks is being discussed once again.
On this matter, the government has said that even today the banking sector has been recognized as a strategic sector. For some time, there has been continuous news about the privatization of banks, on which now the statement of NITI Aayog has come. On this matter, the commission has issued a list in which it has been told that which banks can be privatized by the government in the coming days. Along with this, it has also been told that the privatization of which banks is not being considered at present.
The government on Wednesday clarified that there is no proposal to corporatise or privatize post offices and some employee unions are giving wrong and misleading information in this regard. Meanwhile, the government has canceled the recognition of two unions of employees working in the postal department on charges of irregular funding and violation of several provisions.
The department said that there is no proposal for corporatization or privatization of post offices. Some employees unions are giving non-factual and misleading statements regarding privatization/corporatization of postal department. In contrast, the government has over the years used the postal network to spread digital banking and government services to rural areas. Therefore, the network of post offices has been continuously expanded and strengthened during the last few years.
He said that employees unions have always been an integral part of the Department of Posts. These unions play an important role in furthering the common service interests of their members. The Central Civil Services (Recognition of Staff Associations) Rules – CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993 grant recognition to associations. All recognized associations are required to comply with all the provisions of the CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993.
A complaint was received regarding alleged violation of these rules by two unions – All India Postal Employees Federation Group ‘C’ and National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE). The allegations leveled pertained to irregular use of funds collected from the members of these two unions.
Following the procedure, a detailed inquiry was conducted in respect of the above complaints. The association was given an opportunity to present its case. The inquiry report identified various irregularities in the utilization of funds by the association, which were in direct violation of the provisions of the CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993. Violation of several provisions under these rules amounted to non-compliance of the objectives of the Service Associations with respect to various aspects.
Therefore following the procedure, the Department of Posts has withdrawn the recognition of All India Postal Employees Union Group ‘C’ and National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) with effect from 25th April, 2023.
