Chennai, May 30:
In a first-of-its-kind move at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, the Department of Human Resources Management has made biometric and Face ID-based attendance compulsory for all officers and staff from June 1.
According to government sources, the new attendance system will initially be rolled out in the Human Resources Management Department and later extended to other departments in the Secretariat in a phased manner.
As per a circular issued by the department, all officers and employees have been instructed to mark their attendance using either the biometric system or Face ID authentication starting Monday. “The use of the biometric or Face ID attendance system will come into effect from June 1. All officers and staff are requested to attend office before 10 a.m. and ensure their presence through the biometric or Face ID attendance system, in addition to manual attendance, until further orders,” the circular stated.
The department has also made it mandatory for employees to wear identity cards while on duty within the Secretariat premises.
Officials noted that the attendance system had earlier been introduced on a trial basis. However, its implementation was temporarily put on hold following objections raised by some employees. With the successful completion of the trial phase, the system is now being fully implemented.
Meanwhile, several other departments in the Secretariat have tightened attendance norms. Departments such as Food and Cooperation have directed employees to strictly adhere to office timings.
In a recent order, staff members have been instructed to report for duty on or before 9.50 a.m., while office assistants have been asked to be present by 9.30 a.m. However, biometric or Face ID attendance has not yet been made mandatory in those departments.
The move is seen as part of the government’s broader effort to improve discipline, ensure punctuality, and enhance administrative efficiency within the Secretariat.