Attendance through app for govt staff, IAS officers soon

Jaipur: The state's administrative reforms department submitted a proposal for consideration to the higher authorities under which govt employees, including IAS officers, will have to mark their attendance on a mobile app.

Once it comes into effect, the app will monitor office entry and exit times of officials, and it will be mandatory for them to remain in the office from 9.30 am to 6 pm. According to an official, the proposal is under submission and due process. While it is an initiative of the administrative department, the app is being developed by the department of information technology and communication, the official added.

At present, while some IAS officers do mark their attendance, it is not mandatory for them. On the other hand, RAS officers and Secretariat service officials and other employees mark their attendance in a register.

Earlier, the Vasundhara Raje govt installed biometric machines for the attendance of govt employees and officers. However, these machines are not in use anymore.

All-Rajasthan State Employees Joint Federation (United) President Rathore Gajendra Singh said earlier too machines were introduced for attendance, but these have become outdated now. "Many employees don't use android phones. Therefore, the introduction of an app for attendance is not justified. If the govt is serious about introducing it, they should conduct training for employees first, and android phones should be distributed to those employees who do not use them," said Rathore.

Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant gave strict instructions to the employees of all departments to work for a minimum of 8 hours daily. In the past, he conducted several surprise inspections of govt offices and ensured govt schemes benefit the public.