GH forum for biometric attendance to curb truancy in govt offices

SHILLONG: A Garo Hills-based organisation has complained to the chief minister against truant government officials and suggested that biometric attendance system be adopted to curb the trend.
In a letter to the chief minister, the A’chik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum cited several instances where government employees were found absent in office on working days.
In the recent incident, a group of forum members went to the office of sericulture and weaving at Adokgre in North Garo Hills on July 2 and found no one.
On June 25, members of the forum went to the office of the sub-divisional school education officer, and sub-divisional animal husbandry and veterinary department, both in Dadenggre in West Garo Hills and could not find anyone.
“Only the peon and the chowkidar were performing their duties in both the offices,” the forum stated in its letter.
In another disturbing instance the fishery office in Dadenggre sub-division was not functioning during office hours and the main gate was locked, it added.
“This is a clear instance of negligence and unprofessionalism by various government departments which has been causing several inconveniences to the common people,” it said.
In this context, the forum also referred to its letter last year highlighting the negligence of PWD officials and how the forum members failed to meet them even after six visits.
“Hence, a comprehensive biometric attendance system must be installed in all government offices to ensure that public offices and public funds are not misutilised and are conducive for the common public,” the forum said.