Discrepancies detected in SKIMS biometric, roster records

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: The Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has tightened verification of claims for the 2½-day salary incentive payable to eligible employees for duties performed on Sundays and gazetted holidays after discrepancies were detected between biometric attendance records and rostered duties.

In a circular issued by the Director Finance, SKIMS, the Heads of Departments and Sectional Heads have been directed to ensure that such claims are properly verified and authenticated before being forwarded to the Finance Department for processing.

The circular said scrutiny of claims had revealed instances where biometric attendance records did not correspond with the roster duty reflected for the concerned Sundays or gazetted holidays.

It also pointed out cases where only one biometric transaction-either check-in or check-out-had been recorded, raising questions over the verification of attendance for the claimed duty period.

Under the directions, the biometric attendance of each employee is to be cross-checked with the relevant roster or duty order to ensure that the attendance corresponds with the duty claimed on Sundays and holidays.

The Finance Department has further directed that attendance statements should be forwarded only after the concerned HOD or Sectional Head is satisfied that the employee fulfils all prescribed conditions for eligibility for the incentive.

The HODs/Sectional Heads have also been asked to furnish the prescribed certification, stating that the employees listed in the attendance report had actually performed the assigned duty, as verified through their biometric attendance, roster duty and were entitled to the incentive of 2½ days' salary in lieu of official duty performed on Sundays and holidays during the relevant period.

The circular directs departments to submit the duly verified and authenticated claims to the Finance Department by or before the 25th of every month, in accordance with the prescribed rules and instructions, to facilitate further processing.