Biometrics force babus to complete duty hours

The biometric attendance machine has changed the scenario at Delhi secretariat. For the first time in the history of Delhi government, the babus are reaching secretariat before 9.30 am and staying at their offices till six in the evening to punch in their thumbs at the attendance machines.

From Monday, the machines have started functioning at every office forcing the babus to reach office on time and stay till their duty hours.

Long queues of the employees were seen at the morning and evening hours as all of them rushed to register their attendance on time.

The babus were enjoying a no pressure environment and self-imposed flexible duty hours after the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister.

The Public Works Department has now installed 26 biometric attendance machines in Delhi secretariat. These machines are also installed at the other offices of Delhi government.

“If anyone fails to complete its duty hours, a show cause notice will be issued to the employee. In case of dissatisfactory answer, a half day casual leave will be deducted from employees’ available leave.

Repeat offenders will be marked absent on the days when they do not complete duty hours,” said a senior Delhi government official.

In departments where employees don’t have much work, many were seen watching videos, surfing on the internet and talking over the phone.

The canteens were seen flooded with employees during the lunch time and many of them stayed back, gossiping about the new attendance system.

However, some exceptions were also witnessed at the secretariat.

Departments like PWD and Chief Secretary’s office were functioning till late in the evening.

Right at six pm, the biometric machines were seen surrounded by scores of government employees who were in a hurry to go home.

The installation of biometric attendance was ordered by former Law Minster Somnath Bharti.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has recently issued a notification regarding this making it mandatory for all the departments.