THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The All-India NABARD Employees’ Association (AINBEA) has decided to join the all-India general strike planned on February 28, sponsored by 11 Central trade unions demanding a check on rising prices, stopping the privatisation of PSUs, strict enforcement of labour laws etc.
AINBEA is strongly opposing the decision of NABARD management to scrap the recruitment process initiated for Group ‘B’ staff. NABARD management had conducted a written test for recruitment of 166 Group ‘B’ staff. The management had conducted even coaching for SC, ST and OBC candidates for taking the examination.
AINBEA is also opposing the centralisation of work at the NABARD head office in Mumbai as it is felt that the move would lead to the harassment of both staff and clients. The management is outsourcing or preferring contract for many regular jobs, it is alleged.
The union has also demanded concessional funds for NABARD for lending to farmers so as to keep the interest rates of farm loans in the market low, said Jose T Abraham, vice-president, AINBEA.