Bhubaneswar: The state govt will recommend strict action against the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)-sponsored Odisha Grameen Bank officials over alleged lapses that recently forced a tribal man to carry his sister’s skeletal remains to the Mallipasi branch in Keonjhar to prove her death, revenue minister Suresh Pujari said on Saturday, adding that the move will follow the RDC inquiry report.“The bank could have initiated the process if it required the death and legal heir certificates,” Pujari said.He added that had the bank been under the state government’s administrative control, action would have already been initiated. “Prima facie, negligent staff would have been suspended. Since the bank is not under the state’s administrative control, the government will forward the RDC report to the competent authorities and recommend action against the erring officials,” he said.The Odisha Grameen Bank Association, however, has threatened agitation, claiming the staff were not at fault.Rejecting the argument, Pujari said the bank staff have a responsibility to assist customers. “If a customer is uneducated and unable to understand procedures, it is the duty of the staff to guide him. The bank could have sought the required certificates by writing to the authorities,” he said.“Shirking responsibility is not good governance. Those claiming there was no lapse, need to introspect. If someone threatens agitation against legal action, they are free to do so,” the minister added.A day after the incident, the IOB defended its staff, saying they acted as per norms. It claimed the man, Jitu Munda (50), had visited the Malliposi branch for the first time in an inebriated state, became disruptive and later returned with human remains on Monday. The bank attributed the episode to his lack of awareness about the claims process and refusal to follow procedures explained by the branch manager.
