Govt rolls back decision to implement access control system in secretariat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has decided to roll back from the decision to link the access control system with the salary distribution in the secretariat. The decision was taken due to opposition from employees’ unions. The access control system will be used for security purposes and will be installed only at the main gates.

It was decided to introduce an access control system from today to control the employees leaving the workplace during work hours. The unions had alleged that the decision was like holding the employees’ hostage and as the biometric punching system would be linked to SPARK, they would lose their salary even if they leave the office for official purposes.

The office hours starts at 10.15 am and concludes at 5.15 pm. It was decided to implement this system in all blocks and offices of the secretariat during the first Pinarayi government. Once, the system comes into force, no employees will be able to leave the office during office hours, alleged the unions.

The equipment was purchased at a cost of Rs 1.97 crore. With the new system, the existing punching card will be replaced by a new card. The door will be opened only after biometric punching. Punching should be done even before going out.