Biometric scrutiny for Delhi bureaucrats

New Delhi: In a bid to crack the whip on lax officers, the Delhi government has directed all its employees to mark their attendance through the biometric system, failing which disciplinary action will be taken against them. The directions have been issued by the Social Welfare Department of the city government to all the government employees.

In an order, the department said all officers and officials are directed to report to their offices by 9.30 am and leave by 6.30 pm. The move comes after it was noticed that most officials of the social welfare department are not punctual in attending office.

“The officers/officials who have not registered themselves in the bio-metric system shall get themselves registered in the bio-metric attendance system without any fail, failing which disciplinary action will be initiated against them,” the order stated.

The social welfare department heads various categories of work such as pensions, ration shops and children’s homes, among others. In December, Delhi chief secretary M.M. Kutty had warned the bureaucrats of strict action if they came to after later than 9.45 am. Mr Kutty had asked secretaries of every department to ensure punctuality after noticing that a large number of officers were often late. The CS had also asked secretaries of every department to take action against habitual latecomers. Officials said that Mr Kutty had asked the general administration department to ensure all officers working in the Delhi secretariat mark their attendance by 9.45 am.