Biometric attendance in offices triggers protest

In support of their various demands, the members of the Uttaranchal Parvatiya Karmachari Shikshak Sangathan, Uttarakhand (UPKSS) organised a protest near parade ground on Friday. On the day, large number of State Government employees belonging to the association gathered at the protest site and shouted slogans against what they termed anti-Government policies of State Government.

The President of the UPKSS, Manohar Kumar Mishra said that the recent order of the State Government to install biometric attendance systems in all the offices of the State has created confusion. He said that State has adverse geographical condition and WiFi, internet and power connections are not available everywhere so the process of installation of these machines should be deferred till a proper system is put in place. 

Mishra said most of the departmental manuals for the cadres of the State Government are yet to be promulgated even after 17 years of creation of new State. He said the Union Government has given the benefit of the revised allowances as per the provisions of VII pay commission so the State Government should also follow the suit. 

The speakers on the occasion demanded that the employees appointed after October 2005 should be covered under old pension scheme. 

The UPKSS is also demanding immediate implementation of U health card scheme in the State on the lines of the Union Government, payment of vehicle allowance to all non filed workers and benefit of VII pay commission to all employees working in corporations and agencies.

The association threatened to intensify their stir if their demands are not accepted soon.