The Hindu : This system cracks down on latecomers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

This system cracks down on latecomers

By Nagesh Prabhu

A doctor at the taluk hospital at Nelamangala checking details about an employee on the biometric attendance tracking system.

BANGALORE APRIL 27. "Government's work is God's work." These words are inscribed on the portals of the Vidhana Soudha. All government officials are expected to follow this. But they are always late to office.

Attempts, including the threat of disciplinary action, to change their attitude have not yielded the desired results. However, the installation of a biometric attendance tracking system could help in getting the results.

The system was launched on a pilot basis at the taluk hospital in Nelamangala on April 9.

The system will soon be introduced in all 252 taluk and district hospitals in the State under the Karnataka Health Systems Development Project (KHSDP).

In this system, the hospital staff have to record their attendance at 10 a.m. by placing the index finger on the system.

As soon as they do that, the system displays their photographs along with their profile, including the date of joining service and their area of specialisation.

In this system, the time of a person's arrival to office and his departure is noted.

The system can be used to prepare attendance report, leave record, employee-wise punctuality index etc.

Through this system, the hospital administrator can know how many doctors are present in the hospital.

Unlike the smart card or punch card system, there is no scope for proxy attendance here. Deviations such as late arrival or early departure can be easily detected. The system offers complete security and accuracy, says Venkatesulu, administrator of the Nelamangala Taluk Hospital.

One of the major reasons for introducing the system is the lack of punctuality among doctors, who "spend more time" on private practice. Under this system, the presence of doctors during duty hours is ensured. The doctor will have to record his movements whenever he goes out of the hospital.

The uniqueness of the software also lies in its Internet compatibility.

The attendance details can be pooled and aggregate data used for development reports. All 10 fingers can be registered in the system which takes away the possibility of injury to one finger affecting attendance tracking.

"The introduction of the system has reduced the work of the administrator, and it is boon to the hospital," says Dr. Venkatesulu.

Now, all the staff arrive at 10 a.m. sharp and leave at 5 p.m..

However, one person who was regularly absent during duty hours but was smart enough to register his attendance at 9 a.m. was caught with the introduction of the system.

The case has been referred to the Principal Secretary (Health) and the Commissioner for Health.

The Health Department has also decided to deduct one day casual leave if any member of the staff came late to office by 15 minutes three times in a month.

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