CBI closing in on erring BoI clerk

Tumane has admitted to CBI the existence of few other firms in which his daughter is a partner, but he has no role in them. However, the CBI has its own doubts.

The latest allegation against the clerk is he dishonestly availed the LFC facility afforded by the bank in the name of his daughter, showing her as a dependent.

This “confession” by Tumane that his daughter had a stake in few firms allegedly floated by him, means she has her own sources of income and that Tumane has no right to claim LFC in her name. This act is ultra vires of service regulations under 19.5 J, which stipulates stringent action against the erring employee that could invite even dismissal.

The CBI officials took up the matter with the bank management which in turn summoned Tumane and asked him to clarify. Realising that he had landed in trouble, Tumane requested the bank authorities to recover the LFC amount. The bank, however, asked him to give a written statement and later forwarded the copy of it to the Vigilance Department in Mumbai.

A senior official of the bank, pleading anonymity, told The Indian Express that the disciplinary action committee should deal in the matter sternly and take appropriate action including suspension of Tumane, who also happens to be the general secretary of the BoI Staff Union affiliated to All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).

Though the matter was being dealt with secretly, word about Tumane’s impending suspension was leaked. The general secretary of the Federation of Bank of India Staff Unions (FBISU), J S Bailur, airdashed to the city from Mumbai, ostensibly to participate in the Zonal Consultation Committee meeting held on April 19. But sources say Bailur’s main mission was to “save his comrade-in-arms’ from being suspended.

Seizing the opportunity, Bailur reportedly met top bank officials here including Zonal Manager S V Nayak on April 19. Bank sources feel that Bailur, who wields considerable clout as the former workmen’s director on the bank’s board, could swing things for Tumane.

Some bank officials told The Indian Express that Tumane being an influential trade union leader, may get away as had happened in the past. `We find it surprising that the bank management is so lenient towards Tumane, although he has sullied the bank’s name by his misdemeanour”, they argue.

Meanwhile, investigating officials say that a chargesheet against Tumane will be filed soon.