Access control system in secretariat may be abandoned; 1.98 crores will be wasted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The access control system was installed at the secretariat to prevent employees from leaving when on duty. As the system failed on the first day itself, government is now considering the option of removing the machines. In that case, the 1.98 crores spent on it will be wasted. The system, which was to be implemented from April 1, failed due to strong opposition from the employee organizations.

75 access control machines were installed in the main block and two annexes. It is understood that now this will be limited to the visitors only. The one at the main entrance may be kept for this and the others may be moved. The system is being run on a trial basis for two months and the final decision will be made after that only.

The decision to link the access control system with the payroll software 'Spark' led to opposition from organizations including the ones of the ruling party. The organizations allege that they will lose their salary even if they go out for official purposes. KR Jyothilal, additional chief secretary of the public administration department, had revised the previous order by omitting the part about linking it to SPARK as the protests intensified.

Visitors will be suffering

If the access control system is restricted to visitors only for the sake of security, people will be suffering. Present visiting hours are from 3 pm to 5 pm. If the access control system is implemented, visitors must get a separate card from reception noting which section they wish to go to, in order to enter. If they want to go to another section, they have to go to the reception again and exchange the first card and buy another one.