Jharkhand Government Doctors Accept Biometric Attendance Amid Assurances

Jharkhand government doctors started using a biometric attendance system after assurances from the authorities on their demands. The doctors, who had boycotted the system, resumed using it as the government agreed to a 15-point charter of demands. Attendance through biometrics will be marked only once during duty hours and will not be linked to salary.

In a significant development, Jharkhand government doctors have agreed to adopt the biometric attendance system after reaching an understanding with the authorities concerning their 15-point charter of demands. The medics commenced marking their attendance via the biometric system on Monday, a representative of the association confirmed.

The Jharkhand State Health Service Association (JHSA) and the state unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had previously rejected the system since August 20, citing its impracticality for emergency services. However, JHSA state secretary Mrityunjay Thakur Singh announced the withdrawal of their protest following governmental assurances.

The government has permitted doctors to log their attendance biometrically only once during their duty hours and assured that the biometric data would not be linked to their salaries, Singh indicated. This resolution has temporarily defused the standoff between the medical professionals and the state administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)