Now,biometric attendance makes officials systematic

Two months after installation,after some initial glitches,the employees are making sure that they put in the required time of eight hours at their office. A recent audit of attendace shows 10-15 per cent improvement in their attendance as well as performance.

The audit was carried out by general administration department for the 17 departments housed at the Council Hall. The biometric device requires the employees to have the index finger impression on the device whereby the code of the employee is verified and the time punched is generated.

From cutting down on time spent on refreshments to speeding up the clearance of the files and reducing the time spent out of office,the system has put checks on the employees who would usually stay away from their desk after coming in late to office.

“There has been a definite improvement in the attitude of the employees. Earlier,they would walk in any time and sign the register. Now with a track of time available,they have become more cautious. With the biometric system,a weekly assessment record is generated for all the departments housed in the council hall,’’ said Prakash Patil,deputy commissioner,General Administration Department.

With the Council Hall housing the revenue,supply,rehabilitation,planning,MREGS as well as general administration department,the 160 employees serving are tracked for their attendace as well as number of hours devoted in the office. From punching in when they come in to punching while leaving the office,a record is generated with each department. In addition to the biometric system,two closed circuit cameras installed at the two gates too help get records of employees coming and leaving the office. These were installed after the German Bakery blast.

“It’s been just two months for the system to be installed and we are sure that we will better the records within six months,’’ said Patil. The main complaints were officers unavailable on their desk for long hours as well as spending longer hours in canteen or away from office. “We plan to have more closed circuit television sets on the campus which will help track every employee,’’ said Patil.

The new,old central buildings and district collectorate will also soon get the system.