Hire retired bank staff; others on big scale to deal with demonetisation: ASSOCHAM

“Just like general elections when staff across different departments is mobilised; different types of staff can be used for helping the over-stretched banks , grappling with the huge task of dealing with the demonitised currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 and dispensing the new notes. The best option appears to be employing the retired bank staff on a mass scale on short-term contracts of three to six months," the ASSOCHAM said in an appeal to the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi.

It said while some banks like the State Bank of India and a few others have roped in retired staff, the exercise should be done on a massive scale to deal with the situation.

“While preference can be given by the banks to re-employ their own retired personnel, even cross - bank staff would be helpful. After all, functioning of the public sector banks is generally the same," the chamber Secretary General  D S Rawat said.

It said, the options should be explored to divert staff of other financial services wings and PSUs in the insurance sector for the banking operations for the moment.

The options of outsourcing the house-keeping services to the private sector for the orderly conduct of business at the bank branches should be explored.

Such services can include helping the senior citizens; guiding those not familiar with the banking, and the general security upkeep.

The local traders' associations and market bodies like Azadpur Mandi, should also be involved in the exercise.