Biometric screening in hostels

Movements recorded by thumb impression

The Social Welfare Department has introduced biometric attendance system in the hostels coming under its purview. The inmates should now invariably adhere to the hostel time-table.

The system, already introduced at many private companies, has proved itself to be efficient in inculcating discipline. From breakfast in the morning to the inmates’ return to the hostel in the evening, every information, like the number of students or their timing is registered in the biometric system.

This has helped the wardens and the security personnel to keep an eye on the promptness of the inmates.

Their functioning has also become easier. Now they need not look into the attendance register to track the movements of inmates. They can just go through the information noted by the computer.

The thumb impression of all inmates will be documented in the computer in advance. Each student should press his/her thumb on the equipment installed in the entry or exit whenever he/she enters or leaves the hostel. Since the timing is registered, the authorities concerned can easily find out whoever is not on time.

“The equipment costs Rs 4,500, which can store information on about 1,000 people. The capacity is more in another equipment that costs around Rs 10,000. Presently, equipment worth Rs 4,500 have been installed in the hostels coming under the department,” said District Social Welfare Officer P A Ganapathi.

“Punctuality has automatically increased among the students after the installation of the machine. Work pressure on the personnel has also been reduced,” he added.