Another charge sheet, where I was awarded a penalty of reduction in my scale by three increments was the saddest of all. It related to my tenure at Ranchi Branch. The advance related to 'C' Flour Mills, one of the biggest enterprises of Ranchi. They secured a contract from the P & T Department for supply of Hamilton poles for the project of the Government of India for extension of telephone facilities to the rural areas. The party needed F.L.C. limit for import of cold rolled sheets for an amount, which was beyond my business powers. The proposition was otherwise bright. It was a support to a Government project, for rural development, to a newly established small-scale industry in the priority sector and to a solvent party and for foreign exchange business, which is a profitable field of banking business. The borrower could not wait and needed the facility immediately, as the contract had to be executed within a schedule. I have to commit or omit the good business with a spot decision.

I consulted my Regional Office at Ranchi, took their oral assurance to support me for getting confirmation of my action. I submitted the proposal and also established the F.L.C. The foreign seller allowed 50% credit and billed for the balance amount only. The Regional office quickly and duly recommended the proposal to the Zonal Office, Patna. The Zonal Manager at this juncture was transferred and a new incumbent kept the proposal pending, as a measure of taking least risk and raised queries, waiting for granting confirmation of my action after payment of the import bill. There was some delay in adjustment of the bill amount by the party on account of delay in releasing the payment by the P & T department, but eventually the entire bill amount was paid and loan account properly adjusted. At this juncture the Zonal Manager did not confirm my action himself, but recommended the proposal to Head office with clear request for confirmation of action.

To the authorities, who were waiting at this juncture for getting any ground to harass me, this was seen as a golden opportunity. Head office did not confirm the action, but instead served a charge sheet on me for major penalty for conducting unauthorized business. The punishment awarded later was technically based, but not valid morally. From all other considerations, it is unjust and unholy and vindictive. Had I refused to open the FLC, this mishap would not have happened to me, but in the field of banking business exposed to severe competition from other financial institutions, getting business from big customers is a rare opportunity. Had I declined the Branch loses the opportunity. The Branch now gained, but I suffered in the process from an ungrateful and vindictive management. Do good and get hit was my misery. But still I will advise my friends continue doing good. Even if being hit, it is better keep doing good and hold a clear conscience, than to purchase peace abandoning the rightful course of action.

Punishment was an ungrateful action because, Ranchi is one of the most difficult branches infested with multiple rival unions in Bihar, where people fear God very much, but not the law of the land. Though new to this environment, my simplicity and sincerity earned intense regards from the young tribal graduates employed in the branch. I joined the branch in February 1981 and had to frequently move to and fro the south to answer summons relating to my departmental enquiries and the newly emerging charge sheets. Still I could bring about remarkable development in this Branch, working only for 50% of the period between February 81 to July 82. I could improve the deposits of the Branch from 530 Lacs to Rs.850 Lacs, (more than 50% growth) achieving all business targets given to me. The good done was not considered for approbating, but the wrong not done was invented for reprobating.

Another dark side of the penalty imposed on me is the ambiguous and duplex policy of the Bank with regards to what is termed as 'unauthorized business'. It is frequently advised that unauthorized business should not be entertained by branch managers. But at the same breath it is also stated simultaneously, that in urgent and emergent occasions, Branch Managers may exceed their powers to entertain good business, but in all such circumstances a confirmation proposal for confirmation of action, stating the circumstances for exceeding the powers should be forwarded immediately. The policy about 'unauthorized business' is thus built on an edifice of double-think, double-talk and double-standard. There is no criteria defined to judge what constituted urgent or special circumstances. Before reviewing each individual cases of unauthorized business, it is not assessed, if such business was conducted in special and urgent circumstances and whether a confirmation proposal explaining this had been submitted immediately or not.

Even when such proposal is submitted, the business having been already entertained, the customer accommodated and the benefit accrued to the Bank, authorities do not follow an ethical policy of either confirming or rejecting confirmation on speaking grounds. The proposal is kept on hold, sometimes by raising prolonged queries and a decision to confirm is conveyed only after the advance allowed is recovered/regularized. This is a policy of expediency. In the present case, I did some business in an urgent and special case in excess of my powers. This point has not been disputed by anyone. The proposal is within the powers of the Zonal Manager, who delayed confirmation and finally recommended the proposal for confirmation by Head office, when the import transaction for which the LC was opened was completed and bills duly paid and outstanding fully adjusted.

Different charge sheets were of this category, a fishing expedition or a witch-hunting process. But I could withstand and maintain my composure and still carry on my mission of faithfully serving the Bank without in anyway diluting my loyalty and enthusiasm for work. The employees at the different branches I worked will bear testimony to this, whenever sought.