A significant shift in the operational conduct of government offices is underway in the Sitamarhi district. To address issues of persistent tardiness and unauthorized absence, the district administration has mandated the use of biometric attendance for all government personnel. District Magistrate Richi Pandey has issued a strict directive aimed at ensuring discipline and enhancing work efficiency across all government departments. This digital mandate signals a zero-tolerance policy, and any employee found neglecting these rules will face stringent administrative consequences.
Salary Payments Linked to Digital Verification
Under the newly implemented rules, the monthly salary of government staff is now directly tied to their digital attendance records. Drawing and Disbursing Officers have been clearly instructed to prepare monthly payrolls exclusively based on the BBAS (Biometric) attendance reports. Should an employee arrive late or leave before the designated time, the period of absence will be adjusted against their available leave balance. In instances where an employee has no leave remaining, salary deductions will be applied in accordance with the Bihar Service Code.
Office Timings and Operational Scope
A six-day work week will be strictly enforced across all district government offices. The standard office hours are set from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, a seasonal adjustment will be observed during the winter months, from November through February, when timings will shift to 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM. A mandatory 30-minute lunch break has been scheduled from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM. This digital system is not restricted to district headquarters; it applies uniformly to all government offices at the panchayat, block, and sub-division levels. Notably, panchayat-level workers are now also required to record their attendance at the Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans.
Nodal Oversight for Transparency
To ensure the smooth implementation of this initiative, the District Magistrate has ordered the immediate installation of new biometric machines and the repair of any non-functional units across all offices. Amulya Ratna, the Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Redressal Officer (Sadar), has been appointed as the Nodal Officer to oversee the entire process. The Nodal Officer is tasked with collecting comprehensive biometric reports from all departments in the final week of every month. By coordinating with the Treasury Officer, they will ensure that salary payments are issued only to those employees whose records are verified. The district administration's digital crackdown has caused a stir among the staff.
