PSBs to have more attractive pay packages: Vinod Rai

“By next fiscal we are looking at a far more attractive package for public sector banks with bonus, ESOPs, performance linked variables - monetary or non-monetary benefits to make it more attractive for professionals to enter PSBs,” Rai said here at the 97th Assocham Foundation Day. “We may not be able to change the fixed income but we are looking at making the variable part of the package more attractive,” he added. 

The compensation package of the PSBs needs to be improved in some way, he added. Rai said the government is also looking at appointing full-time Director or ED in the PSBs, apart from the post of CMD. The ED or Director post is being thought of so that he can be held accountable for the decisions taken at the bank, he said. 

“Those people will be appointed who have at least six or more years of service remaining,” Rai said. The Bank Board Bureau is also working upon the proposal of formation of the government stake in the PSBs into a holding company, which will be run by professionals and will make selections of directors and CMDs for the bank. “Over a period of time, the PSBs may go into mergers,” he added. 

To manage the non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banks, Rai said he was looking at a scenario wherein the banks are run by boards, who take the risk of decision-making. 

“We are trying to collate people who will be willing to join the boards of PSBs. Effort is to ensure that the banks are indeed run by boards comprising of professionals,” he said. He also spoke of formation of an oversight committee for both private and public sector banks which will help the banks resolve their bad loan cases. 

“The attempt is to provide an oversight committee of two people to whom cases will be sent to resolve the processes. The case then has to come back to the board because ultimately the bank has to take the decision,” he said adding “This is to provide comfort to the banks,” he added. 

Calling for certain degree of transparency in decision making, he said that every organisation should be able to withstand the test of scrutiny. “We are going to be in an audit from all strata of society. All governments and corporates should be able to withstand that audit,” he added.