KOCHI: Expectations were sky-high when Kochi Corporation
introduced the biometric attendance system at its main office. When it
was implemented a month ago, citizens hoped the system would make the
staff efficient.

But, in reality, nothing seems to have changed.
As the civic body readies to introduce the system in its zonal office,
city residents feel that it is yet another gimmick.

Anush B, a
lawyer who had come to the corporation’s office seeking approval for a
building plan, said, “The system cannot ensure that the officers and
employees are present for work on time and discharging their duties.
They might walk in at the right time and record their attendance. But,
is it possible to track their activities and make sure that they execute
their duties faithfully?”

As the corporation office bounces
back to routine activities after Onam holidays, citizens were seen
queuing up before various departments on Monday to get their
transactions completed.

The office remained closed from August
28 to 31 due to the festival. Even though the civic body’s offices
resumed its functions on Saturday, the absence of good number of staff
had forced many city residents to wait for the next working day.

“Employees who hail from far off districts went on for a vacation by
taking a few days’ leave along with the official holidays. And such
activities will continue to happen. The state government should consider
posting local people for effective functioning of local bodies,” said P
R Ranish, councilor from Thevara.

But, commenting on the
efficiency of the system, deputy mayor B Bhadra said officers and staff
are now forced to report on time. As the system records timings,
late-comers have no option but to record it as leave.

Meanwhile,
offices like Regional Transport Office (RTO) are also planning to
introduce the biometric punching system. Five months back this system
was introduced in the Ernakulam RTO on a trial basis. A senior official
informed that they were waiting for a government order for making it
completely operational.