PNB Employees Win Big! No implementation of a QR code-based employee feedback system

Employees of Punjab National Bank have some exciting news. According to the sources, there will be no implementation of the employee feedback system based on QR codes. The All India Punjab National Bank Officers' Association (AIPNBOA) requests have finally been complied with by the MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank.

The MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank met with Shri. Dilip Saha, the general secretary of AIPNBOA, and they discussed a number of topics.

In letters dated April 21, 2025, June 9, 2025, and June 19, 2025, the MD and CEO addressed our concerns and ideas about the use of the AAGMAN App and QR code-based customer feedback for attendance marking.

The AAGMAN app and QR code were on the agenda for the meeting on May 13, 2025.  AIPNBOA disagreed with the policy based on QR codes.  The association expressed concerns about the AAGMAN app, and management responded that the program does not trace an employee's whereabouts and that the location is only accessed when logging in to indicate attendance. Logins within the specified area will be accepted as legitimate and will not be questioned in the future.

 Members were informed by AIPNBOA that they could utilize the PNB AAGMAN app based on this written assurance.  The management did concur, though, that using biometrics as an alternate method of recording attendance is equally legitimate.

 On June 26, 2025, the management called the AIPNBOA GS once more in response to the previous meeting on May 13, 2025.Despite the lack of a specific agenda, CGM, GM-HRDD, GM-HRMD, GM-HR, and DGM-HR were present for extensive and fruitful conversations.

 Our adamant opposition to the deployment of the QR code-based customer feedback system on an officer-by-office basis was one of the main points brought up.

 AIPNBOA reaffirmed our unwavering position that, in line with the Bank's previous policy, customer service feedback should still be gathered at the branch (SOL) level.  Feedback systems that target specific officers are intolerable and bad for morale and teamwork.

AIPNBOA raised several issues such as:

• Centralisation of key verticals, especially the shifting of ZRMCs to CRCs and the proposed reduction and relocation of RCCs to only five centres — a move we believe will negatively impact operational efficiency and officer convenience.
• Unreasonable demands, such as seeking Balance Confirmation letters on a yearly basis (instead of the existing 3-year cycle) and the compulsion to renew CC accounts within 15 days, despite RBI’s policy allowing 180 days for review and renewal. Such practices are creating an excessive workload at branches and adversely affecting business growth.
• Pressure from CHs/ZMs on officers to use the Aagman App, even when they are already marking attendance through the biometric system, despite both options being permissible under the existing policy.
• Inadequate DIEM reimbursements for hotel stays, arbitrary conditions for two-wheeler travel approvals and documentation, non-reimbursement of actual flight seat costs, long-pending lease rent issues in locations like Panchkula and Mohali, among others.
• Recruitment on linguistic basis to overcome the shortage of manpower in many circles which are difficult as well as deficit circles. This will help especially our technical officers such as Agriculture officers, Marketing officers and IT officers, who are presently working in different parts of the country to go back to their home circle on request transfers.
• The issue of payment of Special Concession/ incentives to Officers working in Kashmir Valley – Revision of rates as revised by DOPT vide their latest communication was also discussed and we are hopeful the same will be implemented shortly.

Following this meeting, AIPNBOA GS was invited for a one-on-one interaction with our MD & CEO, which lasted for approximately 80 minutes. All of the above matters were raised in detail during this discussion.

The MD & CEO responded positively and also acknowledged the concerns and assured that necessary corrective actions would be taken. Significantly, the request to retain the earlier policy of collecting customer feedback at the branch level (SOL) and not on individual officers via QR codes has been accepted by the MD & CEO.

Additionally, it was assured that no new verticals, mergers, or centralisation initiatives will be implemented without prior consultation with our association, and certainly not during mid-academic year, so as to avoid disruption to officers and their families.