It is unfortunate - but true! Most PSBs in India are run on the principle that the boss is always right - beginning from the Secretary, Banking Division, in the Finance Ministry who lords over the Chairman, who bosses over the Executive Director, who makes the General Managers dance to his tune and so on till the buck stops with the Branch Manager - who dances to the tune of all the above plus the staff of the Branch without any help of any kind from the superiors when dealing with recalcitrant subordinates. The junior officer, however brilliant he may be, has no locus standi and his superior, however dumb he may be gets ahead by simply sucking upto his superior and playing to his fancies! And inspite of such inept management if PSBs are doing well, it is because of the economy doing well, no credit to their planners or strategists. The HR policies of PSBs are as outdated as Marx and Engels are today; and they are restricted to year end transfers and postings of officers which makes the personnel in these departments demi-gods for the aam officers.What little talent there was in the PSBs has taken the exit route post VRS and the result is a vaccuum that can cause disruption anytime with the growing complexities of business financing and severe competition from the Private Banks which are much more professional and efficient. How does an Organisation survive and flourish where talent is unrecognised, initiative unrewarded and enterprise is ignored? God alone can help this sector.
