Hamirpur (HP): Biometric attendance has been made compulsory in all the government and semi-government offices of Himachal Pradesh with an immediate effect.
This follows an order of the HP High court directing the government has directed to appoint nodal officers in every department, board, and corporation for biometric attendance. The Nodal Officer will be responsible for the biometric attendance of all officers and employees under him. For the first time in the state, a nodal officer will be deployed to monitor biometric attendance.
The Chief Secretary, through the GAD (General Administration Department), asked all the departments, boards, and corporations late on Tuesday evening to make biometric attendance mandatory under any circumstances.
It will also be the responsibility of the nodal officers to purchase biometric equipment and take action against absentee employees. GAD has made it clear to the Secretaries of all departments, HODs, all Divisional Commissioners, DCs, Registrar General High Court, Registrar of all Universities, MDs, and Secretaries of Board Corporations that there should be no laxity in biometric attendance for good governance. Needed
Notably, in November 2022, on the instructions of the High Court, the Personnel Department had given instructions for biometric attendance. Then the High Court sought a compliance report from the government. In the compliance report, the government put forward some suggestions in court. After this, some instructions have been given regarding biometric attendance by issuing fresh orders. Now no employee will be able to escape from biometric attendance.
After these orders of the government, the lateness of officers and employees in reaching the office will be stopped. After these orders, now the employees and officers will not be able to leave their seats on time and go home. This will also bring quality to government work and work culture will be promoted among the employees.
This system of biometric attendance was earlier implemented in the state but in view of working from home during the Covid period and later, the government stopped it in view of the possible danger of corona infection.
