‘Hand-punch terminals to bring efficiency in ERA’

Biometrics attendance on cards
BILAL HUSSAIN
To bring efficiency in the system the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA)—special purpose vehicle (SPV) for implementation of externally aided projects— would soon be installing biometric attendance devices in their offices.
The paper timesheets would be replaced with a biometrics reader. The ERA employees would swipe an ID card through the reader and places a finger on a fingerprint scanner, at the beginning and end of the work period. “The fingerprint reader data would be copied regularly to a computer running a time attendance software application that will automatically create timesheets for each employee,” said Saqib Bisati, Network Administrator at Economic Reconstruction Agency.
Using biometrics to automate the collection of time and attendance data can reduce manual data review and correction time, and payroll error. Hand-Punch terminals are used in more biometric time and attendance systems than any other biometric technology, Bisati asserts.
To begin with, the agency is planning to install biometric devices in Srinagar office and expects that it would bring in effectiveness in the over system at ERA. In this regard the administrate officer of ERA has issued an order seeking forms from the employees. “We have received 40 per cent forms from our employees. By Monday we expect to collect all forms,” Bisati said.
In the second phase ERA expects to setup biometric attendance machines on the projects across the state. “Hopefully, we would soon work out plans for setting of biometric attendance devices at live projects to ensure 100 per cent attendance,” he believes.
The agency anticipates that the new attendance system would ensure timely completion of the projects in the state. To mention Kashmir Times earlier reported that the major portion of total 83 contract packages were work had been allotted to various contractors, which amounts to package value of Rs 1119.34 crore have not been completed. At present 69 per cent of the projects have alerts. According to sources in the agency the key reason in delays in completion of the projects is due to the frequent change of head adding that the additional charge also affected the functioning of the projects.
The project ‘MPIR loan 2151-IND’ is first externally aided project funded by ADB. The estimated cost of the Project is Rs 1611 crores. ADB loan component is Rs 1125 crore and counter part fund component is Rs 486 crores. Counter Part fund is borne by government of India under PMRP. Project completion period was June 2009. Government of India has been requested for extension of project completion period till June 2010 and subsequently GOI has recommended extension to ADB.