BHUBANESWAR: In a move that could bring cheer for employees of Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) bank, Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout has sought a fresh proposal on the possibility of merger of CARD banks with its apex body, the OSCARD bank.
The Minister has also directed the Auditor General of Cooperative Societies (AGCS) to examine the financial statements of OSCARD bank.
Once the audit report of AGCS is ready, it will be reconciled by the Finance department. Thereafter, the committee constituted by the Cooperation department will examine the possibility of revival of CARD banks or its liquidation or merger, sources said.
The Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) has been entrusted with the responsibility of assessing valuation of assets of CARD banks.
These decisions were taken at a high level meeting held in the Secretariat last month.
CARD Banks are lying defunct due to suspension of NABARD’s refinance facilities on account of loans, mounting NPAs and huge accumulated losses.
The bank’s employees have been staging a dharna at Lower PMG Square from March 11 to apprise the State Government of their grievances. Their demands include implementation of voluntary retirement scheme for CARD bank employees in tune with the Sixth Pay Commission and release of funds for pending salaries.
Rout urged the agitating employees to call off their strike and wait for the Government’s decision.
Meanwhile, three of the agitating employees, who are observing fast unto death, were rushed to the Capital Hospital on Tuesday evening as their condition deteriorated.