Biometric system welcomed in Kozhikode

“When I told them about my idea to introduce punching system, I was upbeat on the feedback from them,” said Mr Mammadkoya. All trade unions expressed full support for the move,” he said.

Keltron has already started the work for collecting the fingerprints for biometric punching system and 90 percent of employees have already been covered, it is learnt.

“Such modern tools of administration for better man management should have been introduced earlier,” said industrialist C.E. Chakkunni. Both employees’ unions, the pro-Left Municipal Corporation Staff Union (MCSU) and the pro-Congress Municipal Corporation Staff Association (MCSA), have expressed support for the project.

MCSA state treasurer V. Sureshbabu told DC that the majority employees have been supporting it as a few are bringing shame to the employees.

“We have to ensure who is on duty and who is absent in the morning itself so that we can direct the public to the right table,” he added. “In fact, we had given a memorandum to the earlier administration demanding introduction of punching system,” he said.

MCSA state secretary K.K. Suresh told DC that the existing system of following the Manual of Office Procedure (MOP) was sufficient to ensure timely office operations. As per the manual, each employee should be in office between 10. 15 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“There is a grace time of 15 minutes. If a person continuously signs after 10. 15 for three days he would lose a casual leave,” he pointed out.

“If punching system is introduced, the attendance of those who arrive as early as 8. 30 and leave as late as 7 p.m. for various operational comforts also should be considered,”

he added.

“Former mayor A.K. Premajam also welcomed the move. Though majority of employees work punctually there are many who evade the system,” she said. It would help in ensuring good performance by all employees,” she added