Introduction of Bio-metric attenance system in offices

NEWS ITEM  

          The Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association has requested the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to keep in abeyance its decision to introduce bio-metric attendance system in the offices of the Administration till such a time the matter is discussed with the Service Associations.   In a  resolution adopted in the meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Association held on 7^th April, 2012 at Port Blair, the Association noted with grave concern that the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has decided to introduce biometric attendance system in the offices under the Administration.

Forwarding a copy of the Resolution to the Chief Secretary, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Association requested him to examine the points raised in the resolution on this subject and to take appropriate action.

 The meeting noted that according to the circulars dated 28^th March, 2012 and 2^nd April, 2012 issued by the Assistant Secretary (GA) for the employees of the Secretariat establishment, in addition to the biometric attendance system, the manual attendance register will also be concurrently maintained.    

          The Association meeting noted that the detailed procedure for maintaining the attendance of staff in the offices/work places is laid down in the Office Procedure Manual published by the Govt. of India and A & N Administration.  In the said guidelines, nothing has been mentioned about the bio-metric attendance system.  The meeting noted that it is inappropriate and unlawful on the part of the Administration to disregard the rules/ guidelines framed and issued by the Govt of India in this regard.    

          The meeting observed that the reason for introducing the biometric attendance system was to maintain punctuality in the offices. However, the Association is of the opinion that punctuality and efficiency in the offices cannot be improved by introducing biometric attendance and the meeting further observed that the efficiency and punctuality can be ensured only when it is improved from top to bottom.           

  

      The meeting of the Association observed that the intention of the Administration is to introduce bio-metric attendance system in all the offices, schools and workplaces throughout the islands for which hundreds of machines will be purchased, spending millions of rupees.  The Association observed that this is a wasteful expenditure and should be avoided so that the amount can be utilized for providing various benefits to weaker sections of the society.  This is more important as the country is passing through a financial crisis.    

The meeting further noted that the above system has been introduced in a hasty manner, without consulting the Service Associations.  The meeting noted that the new system has caused unnecessary harassment and wastage of time to the employees particularly women employees who will have to queue up before the bio-metric machine for the thumbing during morning hours and in the evening.