Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at enhancing administrative accountability and punctuality among government staff, the Odisha government has announced the phased implementation of an AI-based attendance tracking system across state offices. The initiative was discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, an IAS officer of 1990 batch, which included all department secretaries.
AI Surveillance for Punctuality
In the first phase, the AI-based attendance system will be rolled out at Lok Seva Bhawan and Kharavela Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. The system will rely on AI-powered cameras installed at office entrances to monitor employees’ arrival and departure times. This initiative is expected to ensure higher levels of punctuality and discipline among government personnel.
The Department of Electronics and Information Technology will be responsible for implementing the technology, which may be expanded to additional government offices in subsequent phases.
Chief Minister’s Dashboard to Be Launched on October 1
Another major initiative discussed at the meeting was the launch of a Chief Minister’s Dashboard scheduled for October 1. The dashboard will serve as a centralized platform to track the implementation of various government programs, as well as monitor service delivery across departments.
This tool is expected to streamline governance by providing real-time insights into departmental performance and bottlenecks in project execution.
Monthly Review System Introduced
To ensure consistent progress on infrastructure and service delivery, a monthly performance review cycle has been introduced:
- By the 7th of each month, district collectors will assess land acquisition and infrastructure readiness.
- By the 12th, review meetings will be conducted to evaluate the findings.
- On the last Saturday of each month, the Chief Secretary will personally review overall progress.
Focus on Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures
The discussions also emphasized enhancing transparency and vigilance, especially in vulnerable areas such as public service delivery, government procurement, HR management, and enforcement. The government intends to proactively identify and address areas where corruption could potentially occur.
Performance-Based Accountability and VRS Clause
In a bid to further improve governance standards, officials who consistently underperform or fail to meet performance benchmarks may face Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) consideration. Continuous monitoring of officer performance will be carried out, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a result-oriented administration.
Push for Faster Project Execution
Chief Secretary Ahuja also highlighted the importance of attracting more investment, accelerating project implementation, and ensuring strict compliance with operational guidelines. He stressed the need for increased field visits and on-ground assessments to overcome bureaucratic delays.
