Govt criticised over non-functional biometric system

System was installed in 2011 at an approximate cost of Rs98.87m, to monitor attendance of Sindh Secretariat staff

KARACHI: The biometric and vigilance system installed at the Sindh Secretariat at an approximate cost of Rs98.87 million has become non-functional within two and a half years, claimed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Dr Seema Zia in her call attention notice in the Sindh Assembly on Friday.

"Instead of reviving this state-of-the-art system, the government has put up a summary to purchase a new one," said Zia, who also heads the assembly's standing committee on information technology.



She said there are 7,000 employees working in the secretariat and the idea behind the project was to discourage ghost employees and staffers who do not come to office. "This was a good move, but unfortunately it has become difficult for the government to run a 'modern' system," she said. Referring to the relevant department's response, the MPA said the system has not been used since there are no funds to maintain it.

"We have now heard that the government is trying to purchase another system with the provision of thumb impressions. We want to know what the status of the earlier system is that was installed in 2011," she said.

Senior minister for education and parliamentary affairs, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, said the system was placed in light of a 2009 assembly resolution. "This issue was raised in a Sindh cabinet meeting in August 2015. The chief minister (CM) ordered an inquiry and asked officials to revive the system," he said, adding that the data of over 2,200 employees was computerised under the bio-metric system.



"The education department has almost done its job by introducing the system to keep a check on teachers and registered 150,000 of its employees," said the minister, assuring the House that the government will revive the system and implement the assembly's resolution to monitor government employees' attendance in offices.

'CM's helicopter'

During the session, the CM's alleged move to purchase a new official helicopter also came under discussion. Raising the issue, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Sorath Thebo said "We have heard that a new helicopter worth Rs5 billion has been purchased for the CM," she said, adding that people are committing suicides because of poverty while the CM has spent such a huge amount on a helicopter.

Khuhro denied reports about any helicopter purchase for the chief minister. "A helicopter was purchased in 1991 and has now completed its running. It is on the verge of collapse but even then the CM is using it. The government has no intention to purchase a new helicopter," he assured.



Soon after the question-answer session, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement lawmaker Sheeraz Ahmed diverted the local government (LG) minister's attention towards the 'land mafia' active in Korangi. "Police are patronising land grabbers. What action has been taken by the government to evacuate land encroached by them," he asked.

LG minister Jam Khan Shoro said the question was not specific as to which land has been occupied, so it cannot be answered. Later, speaker Agha Siraj Durrani adjourned the session till Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2016.