Staff can't resist biometric attendance, says Madras HC

CHENNAI: Teachers and non-teaching staff of government schools cannot oppose the Aadhar-based biometric attendance system when the government thought fit to introduce such an advanced system for ensuring fool-proof attendance in public services, the Madras high court has said.

Justice SM Subramaniam, dismissing a petition filed by R Annal, a teacher in government high school at Vembanoor in Nagercoil, pointed out that there were a large number of allegations in public domain in respect of the conduct, efficiency level, negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of teachers in government schools across the state. The judge has ordered expeditious implementation of biometric attendance, merit-cum-seniority based promotions and asset verifications and vigilance proceedings for teaching and non-teaching faculty at government school .

Growing indiscipline among public servants necessitated the state government to introduce such technology for the purpose of improving the efficiency level in public administration, Justice Subramaniam said, adding: "The Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance system is systematically being implemented by the government of India, high courts and other public institutions across the country. When the government thought it fit to introduce such an advanced system for ensuring fool-proof attendance system in public services, it cannot be objected by a teacher, who is expected to be a role model for young children."

Rejecting Annal's contention that she did not have an Aadhar number and that insisting on her using biometric scheme would be violative of her fundamental right to privacy, Justice Subramaniam said: "If the petitioner is willing to continue as a public servant, then she is bound to abide by the service conditions. If she is not willing to undergo such system, which are introduced by the government in public interest, then she has to take a decision whether to continue in service or to leave the service."

Fundamental Rights ensured under Part III of the Constitution is subject to certain reasonable restrictions and no fundamental right is absolute, the judge said. "The State can impose certain reasonable restrictions in order to protect the rights of all citizens," he added.