J&K Bank’s written test for non-IBPS Banking Associates

Srinagar, Aug 05: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Monday put on hold the single judge bench’s judgment that had held as “illegal, arbitrary and discriminatory” J&K Bank’s action of subjecting non-IBPS Banking Associates eligible for consideration under Seniority-cum-Selectivity promotion channel to a qualifying written test not meant for them under the policy in the bank.

Issuing notice on J&K Bank’s appeal against the single judge’s order , a division bench of Chief Justice( Acting), Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi said: In the meantime, till next date of hearing before the Bench, the impugned order dated 26.07.2024, passed in WP(C) No. 74/2024, shall remain stayed”.

While the bench permitted the Bank to go ahead with the process of promotion, it said: “However, the same shall remain subject to the outcome of this appeal”. The Court listed the appeal for final hearing on September 5.

Dealing with related pleas, the single bench had directed the bank to consider the non-IBPS Banking Associates with seven plus years of service for promotion as per assessment envisaged under clause 5.2 of the Policy for Promotion of Workmen (Banking Associates, Assistants, Banking Associates, and Banking Attendants) to the next post with or without subjecting them to a screening written test (objective type) at its discretion given the fact of number of available promotion posts are more and the total number of Banking Associates, IBPS, and non-IBPS less.

The court had underscored that it was as clear as sky that non-IBPS Banking Associates with seven years plus regular service aiming for promotion and Banking Associates, be it IBPS or non-IBPS, having less than seven years of service but more than three years of service as Banking Associates not eligible for competing under Seniority-cum-Selectivity channel of promotion were constituting two different species under genus Banking Associates.