Srikakulam: Secretariat staff resent salary cut on biometric attendance

Srikakulam: Biometric attendance system is causing fear among Grama and Ward level secretariats staff both in rural and urban areas.

Particularly in remote and agency areas, registration of attendance through biometric system is difficult due to server down and poor network issues. State government issued orders to salary drawing and disbursement officers (DDOs) with RC Number: 1/A/2021/GSWS to cut salary 10 to 50 percent based on attendance of employees from September 23 to till October 22. According to the orders, DDOs are

preparing data regarding attendance of employees by verifying biometric attendance data. But employees of Grama and Ward level secretariats reportedly stated field level issues like poor network, old tools, server down etc are reasons for not registering attendance through biometric machines properly. They further said they were unable to register their attendance promptly while attending field and protocol duties. Most of the secretariats' staff is working on deputation and on additional duties how such persons can register their attendance. They stated that the government was implementing biometric attendance without considering field level issues.

"We are demanding the government to clear probationary period and recognise secretariats' staff as permanent employees. The cutting of staff salaries will create doubts on the government's commitment to regularisation of services," stated AP Government Employees Association district general secretary Alikana Rajeswari and AP Grama, Ward Secretariat Employees Association district president Kuna Venkata Satyannarayana.