Staff Reporter :
The government is set to introduce a unified promotion policy for permanent officers and staff at six state-owned commercial banks, according to a draft prepared by the Financial Institutions Division (FID).
Once approved and implemented, the policy will apply to employees of Sonali Bank, Rupali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, BASIC Bank, and Bangladesh Development Bank PLC (BDBL).
The proposed system will evaluate candidates for positions including Senior Officer, Principal Officer (PO), Senior Principal Officer (SPO), Assistant General Manager, and Deputy General Manager.
Promotion assessments will be scored out of 100 marks, with 8 marks allocated for the viva voce. Candidates must secure at least 4 marks in the viva and a minimum of 75 out of the remaining 92 marks to qualify. A merit list will be prepared based on the total score.
Employees posted abroad may participate in the interview either in person or virtually.
The draft policy outlines several key criteria for promotion, emphasizing job performance, academic qualifications, merit, efficiency, training, integrity, and seniority. However, it clarifies that seniority alone will not be sufficient for promotion.
Officers with unsatisfactory performance in their Annual Confidential Report (ACR) in any of the past three years will be disqualified from consideration. Additionally, those facing ongoing criminal or departmental proceedings, or currently under disciplinary action, will be deemed ineligible.
Employees penalized for minor offences will be ineligible for one year following the end of the penalty period, while those with major penalties must wait two years, the draft states.
If the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) files charges or an officer is arrested for disciplinary reasons, their promotion will be put on hold until the matter is resolved. Should the officer be cleared without penalties, they may still be considered for promotion based on available vacancies.
In a shift from current practices, the new policy introduces a points-based system for academic achievements. A master’s degree will carry 15 marks, with 4 marks awarded for a first-class degree, 3 for a second class, and 2 for a third class. Similar grading distinctions will apply to bachelor’s, higher secondary, and secondary level qualifications.
Experience as a branch manager, which previously carried only one mark, will now be valued at two marks under the draft policy.
