25 September 2010
By Hiral Dave
Rajkot, India
Just educational qualifications and work experience are not enough to get a job at the Rajkot People’s Cooperative Bank (RPCB). There is another criterion: the candidate should not consume tobacco – or should at least be willing to give up the habit.
When it comes to loan seekers too, the bank offers a lower rate of interest for those who don’t consume tobacco. Tobacco addicts are made to pay one per cent more. With the bank offering housing loans at low interest rates, it gets many prospective clients.
"Except in one case, where the customer had no problem in paying one per cent more, loan seekers usually agree to the bank’s condition. And their families are happy too," says Shamjibhai Khunt, the 60–year–old founding chairman of RPCB.
The RPCB has been following this no–tobacco rule since it was founded 11 years ago. Khunt says he was inspired by his school teacher, Jayant Acharya, who believed that "any non–addict can be a better performer than an addict. You may be rich and famous, but the money won’t save you if you do not care about your body".
The bank’s directors, including industrialists Meghji Virani, Chiman Hapani and Dhirubhai Suvagia, agree with this policy.
At present, the bank has about 17,000 accounts with total deposits adding up to nearly Rs 100 crore. While it already has five branches in Rajkot city, it is now planning to open new branches in the rural areas of Jamnagar, Junagadh, Dhoraji, Jasdan and Paddhari.
Although tobacco chewing is widespread in these areas, there will be no change of rule. At the job interviews, which are slated to be held soon, candidates who don’t smoke or chew tobacco will be preferred.
"When they are getting a job, can’t they give up a habit which has been widely perceived as bad? Their families and loved ones will also benefit," says Khunt. "Some do argue about their individual right to continue tobacco consumption. But then, they have to choose between the bank or tobacco," he adds.
At present, the bank has a workforce of 75 people. None of them consumes tobacco.
Khunt makes it a point to personally interview each candidate. Those who are tobacco addicts are given one chance to kick the habit. The bank even provides a support system in the form of counselling and ayurvedic medicines. "Counseling has worked well most of the time," says Khunt.
But if anyone is found cheating, it could cost him his job.
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