Kerala staff question punching system

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21: Chief Minister E K Nayanar's broaching the introduction of punching system in government offices has opened a he...

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21: Chief Minister E K Nayanar’s broaching the introduction of punching system in government offices has opened a heated debate among staff with a section questioning its viability. However, almost all service organisations, including pro-LDF bodies, want the government to hold discussions with the staff before taking a final decision.

Kerala NGO Union general secretary K Krishnan said that the introduction of the punching system would help make civil service more efficient. “There has to be a new work culture. However, it would be difficult for the staff to change totally by themselves. There has to be effective supervision on the part of the government. The punching system will at least make the staff come to office on time. We are sure that the government will take a final decision on the matter only after holding discussions with all service organisations,” he said.

Kerala NGO Association general secretary Kampara Narayanan said that there was no justification in the proposedintroduction of the punching system.

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“The chief minister’s statement is condemnable. There are enough rules now, which if implemented in a proper manner would improve the efficiency of the civil service. In places where the punching system is followed, like factories, employees are given extra pay for overtime. There are any number of government staff who stay after office-hours and take files home. Will they be given additional pay? The government has to hold discussions with service organisations before taking a decision.”

“We are not against any effort to improve the efficiency of government functioning. But the government should first carry out its responsibilities before introducing any new system. Many of the staff live outside the city and, often, trains and buses arrive late. The punching system will make things difficult for them.

There is a general directive that government staff have to live within 15 km of the office. For that, the government will have to provide accommodationfacilities for the staff. It cannot impose its will on the staff. Proper discussions have to be held with staff before the government goes ahead,” said P V Joseph, general secretary of Kerala Secretariat Association.