High Court directs for an Interview of Banking Associates in J&K Bank

High Court directs for an Interview of Banking Associates in J&K Bank

Srinagar: The High Court today directed the Jammu and Kashmir Bank to call the aggrieved Banking Associates (BAs) for an interview along-with the candidates who have been shortlisted for the interview for the next promotion.

The employees working as Banking Associates approached the court submitting that instead eligibility screening written test (objective type), they have been clubbed with category two of under fast track/merit channel candidates and subjected to bear written examination, which in terms of the policy intent, is meant to be only for the Banking Associates who have completed three years of regular service and are willing to take a chance for proving their merit for the purpose of promotion by undertaking the written examination in a promotion process envisaged for the said category.

Since the petitioners reckon that they have been prejudiced by being subjected to a written examination meant for fast track/merit channel, as such do not find themselves qualifying the said rigorous written examination and, as such, are left out of list of candidates who have been called for interview in terms of notification dated January 11, 2024.

Justice Rahul Bharti while directing the bank to call for upcoming interview these Banking Associates said the outcome of the interview process undertaken in terms of notification dated January 11, 2024, shall not be declared till next date of hearing.

Their counsel pleaded before the court that they are staring at loss of a promotion opportunity in their favour having completed seven years of service as Banking Associates and still not getting a call for consideration by reference to an alleged disqualification having not made it through the written examination which was meant for fast track/ merit channel.

The Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd. has given to itself a “Policy for Promotion of Workmen (Banking Associates, Assistants, Banking Associates and Banking Attendants)”, which came to be approved on 13.07.2022. It is in terms of this Policy the Bank deals with the cadre of Banking Associates, Banking Assistants and Banking Attendants for the purpose of recruitment and promotion.

Banking Associates serving in the respondent-bank fall in two categories. One category is of Banking Associates who are directly appointed after qualifying IBPS examination, and other is that of promotees from the subordinate cadre.

For the purpose of their next promotion and alleviation to become Assistant Manager (JMGS-I) officers, 80% is to be done through promotion from the Banking Associates cadre, whereas 20% is by direct recruitment.

With respect to 80% of promotion of Banking Associates to the post of Assistant Manager (JMGS-I), the Policy envisages and recognizes two channels. One channel on the basis of seniority cum selectivity channel and the other one is fast track/merit channel as is envisaged in the said Policy.