31st December 2012 Soundara rajan was promoted as Chief Manager last month. His table was next to me. He talks to me lot of things. He looked after Agri and DPD. He joined SBT as Agri Officer in 1978 at our Shencottah branch. He worked at our Marayur branch, Agri dept HO, Nagercoil zonal office. 3 times branch manager in Shencottah branch. He worked sincerely in these branches and somehow managed to get postings near to Tirunelveli most times.
Ponmudi, clerk in Office Manager's dept ogani ses all events in zonal office - birthdays, sendoff, etc. He chose me to help him for this send off because, he knew i was close to him not only in the seating. He knows well that it is equation that manages. I do not know who taught this to him. But it works well. So I went with him. He also has understood that i can manage the funds for the gap between the red tapes. First we went to Kerala Jewe llers and told that he has come from SBT (here in chennai, people still continue to identify SBT to Kerala- i feel that there is a low self esteem due to this and this in turn affects business, but they still adjust because it is associate of STATE BANKOF INDIA). SBH is slightly more accepted as Chennaipatnam was part of Vijayanagar, Chola empires consisting of Andhra also. ). We purchased a beautiful silver lamp -one for Soundara rajan and another small one for Sridhar, employees union leader retiring from Chennnai main branch. Then we went to ATM and I withdrew Rs.12000/- (earlier i withdrew Rs.3500 from ATM at Guna complex. We purchased some fruits, Chandana garlands. But Pukalendi, Chief Manager Personnel called and asked us to buy gold coins with Rs.10000/- from bank side. So we again went to Kerala Jewellers and exchanged the silver lamp with gold coins. I asked Ponmudi why there was no coordination. He said it may be due to change of guards in the recent Association election. But, this Pukelendi always wants everything to be a secret. Recently my selection to a training programme was told to me by PAD, HO, but he prevented meenakshi, his clerk from telling this to me till it came from HO in writing. but even this lack of coordination is seen among other depts in Zonal Office. Arrangements were over by 2 pm and we had our food packets arranged by soundara rajan.
I was asked to conduct the meeting. But suddenly it was shifted to MrElangoven, chief manager, mount road br. He has been leader of Assn for many years. (leaders are always leaders) Two clerical staff from Shencottah branch attended the function. They had only good memories to tell (may be they had been close to soundarajan sir when he was in Shencotah branch. This branch was earlier Travancore Forward Bank and so this is the oldest branch of SBT in Tamilnadu (in our books it was opened in 1946 next to our Madras Main Br). Our Top Management in those days wanted not to step outside Keralam and one of them
then told that our CD ratio should be improved in Kerala - meaning the deposits are from kerala and hence credit flow should be more in kerala, whereas in Chennai, it is more than 100 - meaning we are lending our kerala funds in Tamil Nadu. In those days there was as they say no bankable projects. But why we did restrained ourself from opening more branches in Tamil nadu was a question, especially when we liked to venture to Delhi, and many north indian cities. But now all banks are vying each other to open rural branches in Tamil nadu. ( first reason RBI wants financial inclusion - next the new policy of withholding benefits including promotions for not having rural assignments). We now follow. Last one year we opened more than 30 branches and now Union and Officers Assn have cautioned management for this opening spree without proper manpower and infrastructure. (Other banks open rural branches with one officer and one cashier).
This Shencottah br is a loss making branch. I don't know for what reasons - but is not a favourable br for officers from Kerala but is the nearest from punalur and near to the Kuttalam, the favourite waterfalls.
We can go to Achenkovil only through Shencottah. I have walked from Achenkovil to Shencottah.
But soundara rajan converted this to a profit making branch by bills under IUBD.
In those days i heard people saying that Marayur was be place well known for "malampani"(a kind of fever which can also become deadly at times but once contracted it is a nuisance). But for soundara rajan, he was very happy. Less work near to Tirunelveli - he can go in his Bullet (people will stand to look him for his height and weight and the Enfield. there are sandal wood forests of the Government. but your house can smell sandal with a small piece smuggled out. The hill climate was extremely good especially when he was with his family.
He had by this time set out a farm in Shencottah and his agri background came to his help and satisfaction.
His postings in Nagercoil, and Head office was not far away or his frequency of visits to Tirunelveli and Shencottah and his well knit communication network with these centres and his friends ( i used to say, he was able to build a house by sitting at Chennai) did not find him posted at complaining distances ( I was first posted to Madayi Kanoor from Trivandrum. Then from Parasala to Kozhikode - I stopped complaining on seeing friends in Syndicate and Canara Banks)
He was always contended except that he was not able to make through to Chief Manager promotion and that too he was given inspite of his left over service being hardly 1 month(thanks to MD's insistence they say).
But because he was dealing in DPD, i used to tell in my mind that things should go well till he retires. First because he tells everybody that he is happy. Second because he was dealing with DPD a negative area.
But at last that happened - One loan at Shencottah branch became NPA and the Officer, who went for enquiry found out that though the land mortgaged to us now fetches more than the loan, the shed for the birds was built on a piece of land adjoining this and was not on the property mortgaged. This was found out only recently.
Imaging our set up. A regional manager, (either because he was afraid of his future prospects and to play safe and to find out scapegoats or because he believes of rumour from mongers around him) can ask for explanation. He sends an Officer to enquire ( This should be a person not reporting to him in any way). but mostly this officer goes and understands what this Regional Managerr has in mind. He tries to find out factual errors as many as possible ( some also goes to dig other documents also). some uptodate encumberance, insurance, a sign here and there missing and the DD handed over to the customer etc etc. But both will spread by word of mouth that there can be something unearthed (one to cement his arguments for his action and the other to please his elder ones. The Association very often enters only after all these and by this time there is either a case to handle or a case of enough damage done.
The harassment (shani) has already set in. The same letter of explanation is now a Charge sheet and reply will be just a value addition by so called experts/friends and just english.
The next course is usual denial and non acceptance of all proofs and replies. It slips on to arguments and counters as in the courts (the difference is the known faces and known premises)
The final judgement is said to be a mix of the hearsays, the proofs and the ability to read in between. But the hearsay always weighs more.
And a few years in your life is gone.
We look above - thank God its all over; curse many for what you feel have been for t he present judgement against you. Finally except some, the appeal channel is not ventured for disbelief in the system (will you get justice from Nazreth)
Soundara rajan was calculating and was discussing with everyone, so that he should get all his entitlements, Gratuity, PF, leave encashment ( he used to take leave on every wednesdays and saturdays so that he can encash maximum and utilise all leave).
He account saw credits of many items. But Bank allowed him to retire under 19(2) i.e. the major retirement entitlement such as gratuity etc is kept pending.
I remember Nedungadi Sir (GM retired) got all payments at 5 pm on the day of his retirement. but Geevarghese (AGM) was served with a notice (pasted on the wall of his house as he did not accept the same)
Let god behold our finger and we shall follow - Only HE can see beyond MAYA and Karma.
Let Soundara rajan get his benefits soon
Ponmudi, clerk in Office Manager's dept ogani ses all events in zonal office - birthdays, sendoff, etc. He chose me to help him for this send off because, he knew i was close to him not only in the seating. He knows well that it is equation that manages. I do not know who taught this to him. But it works well. So I went with him. He also has understood that i can manage the funds for the gap between the red tapes. First we went to Kerala Jewe llers and told that he has come from SBT (here in chennai, people still continue to identify SBT to Kerala- i feel that there is a low self esteem due to this and this in turn affects business, but they still adjust because it is associate of STATE BANKOF INDIA). SBH is slightly more accepted as Chennaipatnam was part of Vijayanagar, Chola empires consisting of Andhra also. ). We purchased a beautiful silver lamp -one for Soundara rajan and another small one for Sridhar, employees union leader retiring from Chennnai main branch. Then we went to ATM and I withdrew Rs.12000/- (earlier i withdrew Rs.3500 from ATM at Guna complex. We purchased some fruits, Chandana garlands. But Pukalendi, Chief Manager Personnel called and asked us to buy gold coins with Rs.10000/- from bank side. So we again went to Kerala Jewellers and exchanged the silver lamp with gold coins. I asked Ponmudi why there was no coordination. He said it may be due to change of guards in the recent Association election. But, this Pukelendi always wants everything to be a secret. Recently my selection to a training programme was told to me by PAD, HO, but he prevented meenakshi, his clerk from telling this to me till it came from HO in writing. but even this lack of coordination is seen among other depts in Zonal Office. Arrangements were over by 2 pm and we had our food packets arranged by soundara rajan.
I was asked to conduct the meeting. But suddenly it was shifted to MrElangoven, chief manager, mount road br. He has been leader of Assn for many years. (leaders are always leaders) Two clerical staff from Shencottah branch attended the function. They had only good memories to tell (may be they had been close to soundarajan sir when he was in Shencotah branch. This branch was earlier Travancore Forward Bank and so this is the oldest branch of SBT in Tamilnadu (in our books it was opened in 1946 next to our Madras Main Br). Our Top Management in those days wanted not to step outside Keralam and one of them
then told that our CD ratio should be improved in Kerala - meaning the deposits are from kerala and hence credit flow should be more in kerala, whereas in Chennai, it is more than 100 - meaning we are lending our kerala funds in Tamil Nadu. In those days there was as they say no bankable projects. But why we did restrained ourself from opening more branches in Tamil nadu was a question, especially when we liked to venture to Delhi, and many north indian cities. But now all banks are vying each other to open rural branches in Tamil nadu. ( first reason RBI wants financial inclusion - next the new policy of withholding benefits including promotions for not having rural assignments). We now follow. Last one year we opened more than 30 branches and now Union and Officers Assn have cautioned management for this opening spree without proper manpower and infrastructure. (Other banks open rural branches with one officer and one cashier).
This Shencottah br is a loss making branch. I don't know for what reasons - but is not a favourable br for officers from Kerala but is the nearest from punalur and near to the Kuttalam, the favourite waterfalls.
We can go to Achenkovil only through Shencottah. I have walked from Achenkovil to Shencottah.
But soundara rajan converted this to a profit making branch by bills under IUBD.
In those days i heard people saying that Marayur was be place well known for "malampani"(a kind of fever which can also become deadly at times but once contracted it is a nuisance). But for soundara rajan, he was very happy. Less work near to Tirunelveli - he can go in his Bullet (people will stand to look him for his height and weight and the Enfield. there are sandal wood forests of the Government. but your house can smell sandal with a small piece smuggled out. The hill climate was extremely good especially when he was with his family.
He had by this time set out a farm in Shencottah and his agri background came to his help and satisfaction.
His postings in Nagercoil, and Head office was not far away or his frequency of visits to Tirunelveli and Shencottah and his well knit communication network with these centres and his friends ( i used to say, he was able to build a house by sitting at Chennai) did not find him posted at complaining distances ( I was first posted to Madayi Kanoor from Trivandrum. Then from Parasala to Kozhikode - I stopped complaining on seeing friends in Syndicate and Canara Banks)
He was always contended except that he was not able to make through to Chief Manager promotion and that too he was given inspite of his left over service being hardly 1 month(thanks to MD's insistence they say).
But because he was dealing in DPD, i used to tell in my mind that things should go well till he retires. First because he tells everybody that he is happy. Second because he was dealing with DPD a negative area.
But at last that happened - One loan at Shencottah branch became NPA and the Officer, who went for enquiry found out that though the land mortgaged to us now fetches more than the loan, the shed for the birds was built on a piece of land adjoining this and was not on the property mortgaged. This was found out only recently.
Imaging our set up. A regional manager, (either because he was afraid of his future prospects and to play safe and to find out scapegoats or because he believes of rumour from mongers around him) can ask for explanation. He sends an Officer to enquire ( This should be a person not reporting to him in any way). but mostly this officer goes and understands what this Regional Managerr has in mind. He tries to find out factual errors as many as possible ( some also goes to dig other documents also). some uptodate encumberance, insurance, a sign here and there missing and the DD handed over to the customer etc etc. But both will spread by word of mouth that there can be something unearthed (one to cement his arguments for his action and the other to please his elder ones. The Association very often enters only after all these and by this time there is either a case to handle or a case of enough damage done.
The harassment (shani) has already set in. The same letter of explanation is now a Charge sheet and reply will be just a value addition by so called experts/friends and just english.
The next course is usual denial and non acceptance of all proofs and replies. It slips on to arguments and counters as in the courts (the difference is the known faces and known premises)
The final judgement is said to be a mix of the hearsays, the proofs and the ability to read in between. But the hearsay always weighs more.
And a few years in your life is gone.
We look above - thank God its all over; curse many for what you feel have been for t he present judgement against you. Finally except some, the appeal channel is not ventured for disbelief in the system (will you get justice from Nazreth)
Soundara rajan was calculating and was discussing with everyone, so that he should get all his entitlements, Gratuity, PF, leave encashment ( he used to take leave on every wednesdays and saturdays so that he can encash maximum and utilise all leave).
He account saw credits of many items. But Bank allowed him to retire under 19(2) i.e. the major retirement entitlement such as gratuity etc is kept pending.
I remember Nedungadi Sir (GM retired) got all payments at 5 pm on the day of his retirement. but Geevarghese (AGM) was served with a notice (pasted on the wall of his house as he did not accept the same)
Let god behold our finger and we shall follow - Only HE can see beyond MAYA and Karma.
Let Soundara rajan get his benefits soon
