Biometric attendance suspended till 31 January 2022

In the wake of the Omicron scare and the rapidly rising COVID infections, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread, the Government on Monday postponed the marking of biometric attendance for all of its staff until January 31. Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the decision has been taken in the interest of the safety and health of the government employees. The Department of Personnel & Training has issued an office memorandum in this regard.

In India, new Covid-19 infections are increasing faster than they did during the previous year's brutal second wave in April-May. India reported 33,647 new Covid-19 infections on Sunday, the most in a single day since September 17, or in 107 days.

"Keeping in view the rise in #COVID cases in the last few days, the BIOMETRIC ATTENDANCE for govt officials and employees is being suspended with immediate effect, till further orders. Under the leadership of PM Sh @NarendraModi, this decision has been taken in the interest of safety and health of the govt employees," he tweeted.

However, all the employees are required to mark their attendance in attendance registers to be maintained manually, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

"As a precautionary measure, it has been decided to suspend the marking of biometric attendance in the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system in all ministries/departments of the Government of India, including its attached/subordinate offices, with immediate effect till January 31, 2022," it said.

All the heads of departments shall also continue to ensure that all employees wear masks at all times and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour strictly, the order said.

The biometric attendance was earlier suspended during the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. It was only during the Last November t, that the government issued the order for the resumption of the biometric attendance for employees. Read: Biometric attendance system to be resumed from November 8

Read the order: Biometric attendance suspended till 31 January 2022