Night‑Time Attendance Mandate Extends to Government Employees in Gujarat

The directive, issued by the state’s chief secretary, mandates that every government employee working beyond regular office hours must log their presence through a biometric system. The move follows a series of complaints about absenteeism and lax supervision in night‑time operations, particularly in departments handling critical infrastructure and public safety. Officials anticipate that the data collected will enable more precise monitoring of staff performance and resource utilization.

Implementation will begin with a pilot in select districts, where supervisors will receive training on the new protocol and the necessary hardware will be installed in offices operating after dusk. Critics argue that the requirement could burden employees who already face long working hours, and they call for safeguards to prevent misuse of attendance data. The administration, however, asserts that transparency will deter negligence and reinforce public trust.

If the scheme proves effective, the state plans to roll it out across all ministries, potentially setting a precedent for other Indian states grappling with similar governance challenges. The broader implication could be a shift toward data‑driven management in the public sector, influencing how accountability is measured and enforced nationwide.