The move, initiated by Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan, aims to bring accountability and curb the long-standing issue of late arrivals and absenteeism among government staff. This decision follows years of weak compliance despite a 2017 order mandating biometric tracking across services such as IAS, IPS, PCS, Secretariat Service, Finance Service, Judicial Service, and outsourced employees.
After the announcement, the Secretariat began repairing and monitoring biometric machines to ensure flawless implementation. Officials described the move as both a technical upgrade and a much-needed crackdown on the “undisciplined work culture” that had taken root in the Secretariat.
Biometric Mandate Now Linked to Disciplinary Action
The updated directive mandates that all government employees must register their biometric attendance daily within the prescribed time window. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action—a clear indication that authorities are no longer tolerating negligence. The directive is designed to go beyond symbolic enforcement. Officials emphasized that routine inspections, timely resolution of technical glitches, and high-level monitoring would be conducted to ensure the system functions effectively and does not merely remain a “paper reform.”
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Beginning of a New Era of Governance
This enforcement is not just about punctuality—it’s about setting a precedent for deeper administrative reforms. Officials stated that the biometric mandate marks the beginning of a culture of discipline and accountability across government offices in Uttarakhand.
Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan’s order has sparked a state-wide conversation about government work ethics. The extent of its impact, however, will only become clear as departments align themselves with this new accountability framework in the weeks to come.