Efforts on to replace biometric verification

Efforts on to replace biometric verification

15/05/2020, S. SUNDAR, MADURAI

Railway Board has asked zonal railways to come up with technologies that could replace the mandatory biometric verification of railway running staff that has been suspended in the wake of pandemic. In a circular dated May 11, it has said that the Health Department has been instructed to look at possible alternative for breath analyser test, another mandatory test for the running staff.

In view of pandemic, the Union Ministry of Health ordered suspension of all biometric attendance system across the nation as the biometric attendance device could become a source of infection. However, railway employees objected to the compulsory use of breath analyser test expressing fear that they could be infected by the coronavirus as many staff have to blow air in the same device.

Eventually, the board agreed to suspend the test for the staff during the lockdown. “Now, a written declaration is sought from the staff that they were not under the influence of alcohol,” a loco-pilot and assistant divisional secretary of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union, here said.

The board asked the zonal railways to come out with some technologies in lieu of biometric attendance system like facial recognition, voice recognition, eye scanning and using transparent disposable gloves. The zonal railways have been asked to provide details of their preference of technology, its working and accuracy and cost involved in the technology.