Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to enhance transparency and accountability in rural governance, the Odisha government has ordered the installation of Biometric Attendance Systems (BAS) in all Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad offices across the state.
The directive was issued by Surya Narayan Dash, Additional Secretary of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, as part of a broader initiative to instill punctuality and discipline among government employees involved in rural administration.
According to an official notification, all District Collectors have been instructed to ensure the immediate implementation of the Biometric Attendance System within their respective jurisdictions. This move is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at fostering a results-oriented work culture at the grassroots level.
“…I am directed to say that the State Government attaches paramount importance to punctuality and regularity in attendance, which are essential prerequisites for ensuring efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service delivery. Timely attendance of government employees in their respective offices plays a vital role in improving overall governance and enhancing public satisfaction,” the notification stated.
The introduction of the Biometric Attendance System (BAS) is a key reform initiative intended to instill discipline, minimize absenteeism, and promote a performance-driven work culture across government institutions. Biometric systems provide real-time data on employee attendance and reduce the potential for manipulation of attendance records.
“The system has already been successfully implemented in several government departments and has yielded encouraging results in terms of improved punctuality and productivity,” the notification further stated.
District Collectors have been advised to coordinate with relevant departments to arrange the necessary infrastructure and logistics to facilitate the early rollout of the system.
The Panchayati Raj Department believes that the introduction of BAS will strengthen local self-governance mechanisms and lead to more responsive and efficient public service delivery in rural areas.
