Issues and Problems of C.B.S in RRBs!

நமது அகில இந்திய சங்கம் AIRRBEA நமது கோரிக்கைகளையும், பிரச்சினைகளையும் மட்டும் பேசுவதில்லை. கிராம வங்கிகளின் வணிகம், வளர்ச்சி, பணிச்சூழல்கள் எல்லாவற்றிலும் தனது பார்வைகளையும், சிந்தனைகளையும் செலுத்தி வருகிறது. RRB களுக்குத் தேவையான capital support கொடுக்க மத்திய அரசினை வலியுறுத்தும். Financial inclusion குறித்து கவனத்துடன் அறிவுறுத்தும். CD ratio  குறித்து கவலைப்படும். அதேவேளையில் பென்ஷனுக்காகவும், தற்காலிக ஊழியர்களை பணிநிரந்தரம் செய்யவும் கோரிக்கை வைத்து போராடும்! Industryயின் நலனையும், employees  நலனையும் ஒருசேர முன்னிறுத்தி செயல்படும். இதுதான் AIRRBEA.

இப்படி கிராம வங்கிகளின் ஒவ்வொரு அசைவிலும் தனது பங்களிப்பைச் செலுத்திக்கொண்டு இருக்கும் AIRRBEA  அண்மையில் மிக கவலையுடனும், அக்கறையுடனும் Core Banking System (C.B.S) குறித்து ஆராய முற்பட்டு இருக்கிறது. கிராம வங்கிகளில் மிக அவசரம் அவசரமாக C.B.S அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்டது. வணிக வங்கிகளில் ALPMலிருந்து, TBAவுக்கும், TBA விலிருந்து C.B.Sக்கும் migrate/shift ஆக எடுத்துக்கொண்ட காலம் என்பது பல ஆண்டுகள். ஆனால் கிராம வங்கிகளில் எடுத்துக்கொண்ட காலம் என்றால் சில மாதங்கள் மட்டுமே.

போதிய infrastructure இல்லாமல், போதிய manpower  இல்லாமல், போதிய training  இல்லாமல் நாம் C.B.Sக்கு வந்திருக்கிறோம். இதில் பல பிரச்சினைகள் ஏற்படுகின்றன. சில சிக்கல்கள் தினமும் ஏற்படுகின்றன. இது நமது வங்கிக்கும் மட்டுமில்லாமல், அகில இந்திய அளவில் பல கிராம வங்கிகள் தினமும் சந்தித்துக் கொண்டு இருக்கின்றன. அவைகளை தொகுத்து AIRRBEA இப்போது நம்முன் வைத்திருக்கிறது. இவைகளை எப்படி சந்திப்பது, எதிர்கொள்வது என ஆலோசனைகளையும் கேட்கிறது. அதன் அடிப்படையில் C.B.S குறித்த  அணுகுமுறையை, ஒரு தெளிவை ஏற்படுத்த முயற்சிக்கிறது.

விஷயம் தெரிந்தவர்களும், விபரம் அறிந்தவர்களும் தங்கள் கருத்தை FEEDBACK மூலம் தெரிவித்தால் நாம் அவற்றைத் தொகுத்து AIRRBEAவுக்கு தெரிவிக்கிறோம்.  இது நம் எதிர்காலத்திற்குமான அரணாகவும் இருக்கும்!

AIRRBEA  முன்வைக்கும் பிரச்சினைகளும், சவால்களும்:

Hardware issues:


1. Supply of properly configured computers: as the branches are running the CBS with the machines provided during the standalone module, every transaction is consuming undue time and inadequate customer service. This will in turn definitely affect the business layout and targets.

2. Supply of TFT monitors: Though required for the facelift of the CBS branch, but facilitates the battery backup and helps in particular to the rural branches where power supply is inadequate.

3. Printers and printer setup for all the branches: Much required step to initiate at all the branches. Some of the branches are still running with the old model printers which either do not support the CBS printing or do not work at all. Further branches are having many a type and models of printers for regular work. This type of selection of printers will not only affect adversely on the variety of stationery consumables at large but also do not yield a proper and uniform work and result in the branch. Though the bank circulates the AMC holders of the printers once in three years, most of the branches are totally unaware of the service conditions of the AMC holders of the hardware thereby inadvertently affecting the routine function in the branch in general and image of the bank in particular, for not properly utilizing their services in time. Above all the vendors/AMC holders should be advised strictly to attend the calls from the branches relating to the hardware problems in time, every time as many branches do not have adequate support from the vendors/AMC holders.

4. Pass Book Printers: As the CBS software necessarily needs Pass Book printing in all the branches in general and city branches in particular, this need has to be addressed on top priority. As most of our City branches are spending much of their time in updating the Pass Book by printing, this problem has to be revisited and solved immediately. Further rest of the branches have to be provided with the Pass Book printing immediately since the man hours consumed in updating the entries manually do not afford the man power planned as per the CBS layout in the branches.

5. Fixed cabling/Networking: All branches need the fixed network cabling since the inter/intra connectivity is directly dependant on the performance of network cabling.

6. Sufficient computers: On shifting to the CBS module every branch now requires an additional PC for the cashier. Hence each branch has to be adequately provided with the computer systems in accordance with the staff present in the branch.

7. Up-gradation of UPS: UPS capacity in the branches has to be reassessed based on the number of systems working in the branch. Up-gradation required if any has to be attended on priority. And where the power supply is in deficit, alternative power systems like Solar UPS shall be implemented.

8. Alternative WAN: Presently the CBS is working on V-Sat network alone. This is hindering the routine working in the branches having heavy transactions. Hence all branches have to be provided with a dedicated leased fixed line to facilitate hassle free transactions.

Software issues:

1. Reduction of modules: CBS software entails many windows for updating a loan. Though accepted for security measure, it has to be cut for the loans like LD, JL etc.

2. Statement of account for all BGL has to be implemented.

3. Batch entry problems need to be addressed on priority as good number of transactions from every branch are widely affected by Batch failures.

4. System accounting for a transaction in the software has to be circulated as rectifications illustrated, conveyed, advocated does not give a clear picture of double entry accounting.

5. Verification tools for system accounting on Interest calculation for Loans and Deposits is necessarily required. Otherwise the interest variation made by the software will be unchecked & scot-free, which on the other day end up with accountability apart from seepage to the bank during the period.

6. Unique number coding for every product shall be made for easy & quick identification of the account before entering in the system. Further such coding will help the branches to segregate the records as per the products as in the case of Loan accounts.

7. The much desired and helpful product of the Bank; the Nirantara Deposit, a case shall be immediately taken up with the Software vendor, to provide account opening and transfer of Daily collection to accounts, since huge chunk of business is at halt for this improper behavior of the system. Till then branches shall be properly guided through Circulars to continue opening of the new accounts and transfer of collection in the Old version(Fincraft)

8. Guidelines for reconciliation of all BGL heads.

9. Hassle free modules for matured FDR renewals, as the present system has unnecessary and circuitous procedures which consumes valuable time of the customer and the staff and hinders customer service.

10. Help Desk concept shall be reassessed. As the branches are either not getting a connection when it is required or not properly communicated when it is ought to be. Otherwise the Help Desk shall be implemented on the Region wise at the Regional Office level and monitored there under for a meaningful help desk.

Security Issues: 

1. Password maintenance: Comprehensive guidelines shall be issued for maintaining strict and secret passwords. Though the Bank has circulated some guidelines on the issue, some of the Regional offices have pressurized the staff members to use the password of the another who was not present on the branch on that day to carry out business by single handling. And the branches are now habituated to such practices under the advice and guidance of controlling offices. While condemning such unethical practice and advice, we urge for issuing and implementing a secured password maintenance policy in the Bank to desist from relapse of cases witnessed in the fraudulent attempts in our branches. And no branch shall be allowed to work under single handling, which is against the sense & spirit of CBS working.

2. Password maintenance during absence/leave should be handled by the Help Desk, only on records and not by a call. And bank has to evolve a system for recording such changes.

3. Inter-branch transactions should be carefully implemented and monitored meticulously online. Security restrictions should be imposed immediately to desist from occurring any untoward incident.