Yogi Adityanath Seeks Biometric Checks To Fix Latecomers

Lucknow: Soon, employees have to clock in at every government office in Uttar Pradesh, including those in villages. To ensure punctuality, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a biometric attendance system across the state.

The instructions came during the Chief Minister's meeting with officials of the rural development department late on Saturday night.

"Efforts should be made to ensure that a biometric system of attendance is installed up to the block level. Apart from this, a board be put up at every village panchayat, which will
have information about contact details of the village pradhan and details of the ongoing works," Adityanath said, according to an official statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also asked for a biometric system, calling it a big step in "improving productivity".

Mr Adityanath has been advising officials to change their working style and work towards better and cleaner governance. Soon after taking charge as Chief Minister of the most populous state, the saffron-robed politician had warned, "If you don't want to work 18-20 hours a day, make way."

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Two of his ministers held surprise checks at their offices in Lucknow and found them deserted at 10 am. Latecomers trickling into the agriculture ministry had minister Surya Pratap Shahi so worked up that he had the building locked. The minister then reportedly ordered that those who were late would be docked a day's pay.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Waqf, Mohsin Raza, also found many latecomers and asked for a report. What annoyed him further was that air-conditioners and fans were consuming electricity that could have been better utilised elsewhere.

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It's not the first time that a biometric system is being used by any state. The AAP government in Delhi had introduced biometric attendance system in the Secretariat and all government offices to ensure "effective functioning".