BHUBANESWAR: Employees of Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) bank on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Governor SC Jamir demanding speedy release of their salaries which have not been paid for the last five to six years.
CARD bank has remained defunct due to stoppage of line of credit by NABARD since 2003. There are around 80 employees posted at 46 branches of the bank across the State.
“Though the Cooperation Department had recommended merger of CARD bank with Odisha State Cooperative Bank (OSCB), it is yet to be implemented. Most employees of the bank are not able to manage a square meal and are under distress due to non-payment of salaries for years,” said Sukanta Das, Joint Secretary, All Odisha Card Bank Employees’ Union.
The charter of demands included implementation of voluntary retirement scheme for CARD bank employees in tune with the Sixth Pay Commission and release of funds for pending salaries.
The bank’s employees have been staging a dharna at Lower PMG Square from March 11 to apprise the State Government of their grievances.