NEW DELHI, Jan 3: The Centre today suspended marking of biometric attendance for all its employees till January 31, as a precautionary measure to check the spread of Coronavirus.
Minister of State for Personnel Dr Jitendra Singh said the decision has been taken in the interest of safety and health of the Government employees.
“Keeping in view the rise in #COVID cases in the last few days, the BIOMETRIC ATTENDANCE for govt officials and employees is being suspended with immediate effect, till further orders. Under leadership of PM Sh @NarendraModi, this decision has been taken in the interest of safety and health of the govt employees,” he tweeted.
However, all the employees are required to mark their attendance in attendance registers to be maintained manually, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.
“As a precautionary measure, it has been decided to suspend the marking of biometric attendance in the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system in all Ministries/departments of the Government of India, including its attached/subordinate offices, with immediate effect till January 31, 2022,” it said.
All the heads of departments shall also continue to ensure that all employees wear masks at all times and follow COVID-Appropriate Behaviour strictly, the order said.
The Union Government had resumed biometric attendance for employees of all levels from November 8.
The employees were previously exempted from biometric attendance due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Centre has allowed 50 per cent of its employees below the level of Under Secretary to work from home amid rising coronavirus cases, according to a Personnel Ministry order issued today.
Persons with disabilities and pregnant women employees have been exempted from attending the offices, it said.
Central Government officers/staff will have to follow staggered timing to avoid overcrowding in the offices, the order said.
All the officers/staff residing in Covid containment zones have also been exempted from coming to office till containment zones are de-notified, it said in the order issued to all Central Government departments.
“Physical attendance of Government servants below the level of Under Secretary shall be restricted to 50 per cent of the actual strength and the remaining 50 per cent shall work from home,” the order said. (PTI)
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