Join AI attendance or face pay cut, says panchayats minister

Porvorim: Employees and panchayats refusing to adopt the AI-based attendance system, which was rolled out for approximately 700 employees across all 191 panchayats, will face salary cuts, said panchayats minister Mauvin Godinho on Thursday.

“I introduced an AI-based attendance system for the panchayats, and 88% of the employees registered. In due course, I am confident that other departments will adopt this system. I decided to stop the salary of those who do not come on the AI-based attendance system. I issued directions,” said Godinho, while responding to the motion to cut grants for the panchayat department.

Godinho also said that all 191 panchayats will soon be able to employ one more staff member, an engineer. It is pending with the finance department. Administrative approval was given, and other departments also gave approval, he said.

He also informed the House that a special cell will be created in the panchayat department to help villages utilise the finance commission funds.

He added that, in a few months, most of the services of the panchayats should be available online. The minister said 65 panchayats are uploading their data on the online platform.

Speaking earlier, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral demanded that the minister ensure that wages of panchayat staff are increased. “If you can’t find a solution, then who will find a solution? There is no reason for playing the blame game. You are the minister, you are govt,” said Cabral.

Responding to this, Godinho said he already gave administrative approval for the 7th Pay Commission, and the file is with the finance department. “The chief minister will consider it. The 7th Pay Commission is a matter of their right, and it will be done,” he said.

Godinho also said that he will speak to the chief minister to enhance the allocation of funds for panchayats under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said that village panchayats are struggling to handle solid waste. “Villages continue to grant construction licences, but dry and wet waste management mechanisms do not exist. Govt must give a commitment to handle dry waste and sanitary waste,” said Sardesai.