Thanks for the informative email. While consolidation of the smaller among PSBs is quite welcome, what does the Government intend to achieve by this exercise?
1. Greater efficiency in terms of stronger and uniform systems and procedures, supervision and control and better operational synergies are all mythical if the outcome of past mergers are anything to go by.
It made the merged entities top heavy and gave rise to asymmetrical branch networks post merger.
Confusion, discontentment at operational levels due to turf wars percolating top down.
2. What is the purpose of creating mega entities if the BOD of merged banks are not entrusted with functional autonomy? Staff matters euphimistically known by the acronym HRD are managed from DFS, GoI. Be it leave rules, transfers, promotions, incentives for performance, fixation of pay scales, rewards and punishment - name one aspect of staff management where the Bank boards are free to act independently?
In conclusion, when you create mega banks, SBI, PNB, Canara, Union and Indian Bank are already in the list, empower them to handle the details and trust the RBI to do financial supervision ( even supervision is becoming a dirty word, Bank boards are not kindergarten kids, management is more apt) best - they surely know their job better than any career government servant.
As for staff matters, Finance Ministry - please exit completely. Your breathing down the necks of career bankers has throttled them beyond redemption already.