AIBOBOU Slams Bank of Baroda's Transfer Policy 2025

 

   

Does the Transfer Policy 2025, Looks Fair & Transparent to you??How abusive is Transfer Policy 2025 and vitiates the DFS Guidelines.?

Does the Policy has element of Equity & Equality?

How it can create a havoc and rest super-power with management amongst inequality and ambiguities.

Will the policy meet the growing need of progressive manpower utilization.

Does it address the aspect sought after in Writ Petition filed by AIBOBOU in Jaipur  High Court?

The All India Bank of Baroda Officers' Union (AIBOBOU) has strongly criticized the revised Transfer Policy for officers up to Scale III, announced by the Bank of Baroda on 24th April, 2025. While acknowledging that the policy revision was prompted by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) guidelines issued on 26th November, 2024, the Union notes the Bank's circular fails to mention this crucial context.

AIBOBOU recalls challenging the previous Transfer Policy (dated 1st February, 2024) in the Rajasthan High Court, leading to the DFS issuing revised guidelines emphasizing fairness and transparency in Inter-Zonal Transfers (IZT) for FY 2025–26. The Union finds it suspicious that the current policy is stated to be approved by the Strategic Advisory Committee of Board on HR (SACB-HR) on 20th March, 2025, especially since the Bank informed the High Court on 22nd April, 2025, that the DFS guidelines would be addressed in due course. This raises concerns about potential backdating of approvals.

The Union argues that the SACB-HR, being a sub-committee, lacks the authority of the full Board of Directors to approve substantive policies, thus questioning the legitimacy of the revised policy. Despite a limited two-year term, the policy is seen to contain loopholes that could enable arbitrary transfers, contradicting established norms and various Government guidelines issued since 2012, including the latest DFS directives.

AIBOBOU has conducted a detailed analysis of the policy and intends to raise these concerns with the Bank's management. They will also consider further action to protect the interests of the officers. Specific concerns raised by the Union include:

• The legal basis for discriminatory clauses favoring repatriation based on Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APAR).
• The lack of published seniority lists before initiating the IZT application process, questioning the claimed transparency.
• The impracticality of a 750 km geographical area provision for a "region."
• The absence of clarity regarding maximum tenure at administrative levels.
• The perceived high-handedness of clauses restricting the reproduction of the policy for critical analysis.
• The Union's assertion that the policy manipulates, rather than incorporates, the true essence of the DFS guidelines to maintain management's discretionary transfer powers.
• The questionable authority of the SACB-HR to approve the policy without full Board approval, especially considering a previous Board-approved policy.
• The perceived falsity of the policy's intent to "minimise individual discomfort," as no such element is evident.
• The lack of concrete measures to verify the Bank's adherence to the spirit of the DFS guidelines, with the policy appearing to contain loopholes that undermine these guidelines.
• The exclusion of the Union's suggestions, despite a prior meeting where these were seemingly noted.
• The need for consistency between Clauses 1.2 and 1.3 regarding the rider of Regulation 47.

In essence, AIBOBOU views the revised Transfer Policy as potentially illegitimate, lacking in transparency, and designed to maintain management's discretionary powers over transfers, contrary to government guidelines and the welfare of the officers.

 

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