Maharashtra Revenue Department has made digital attendance through the Face App mandatory for all its employees.
The directive, announced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, links the disbursement of August salaries (to be paid in September) to compliance with the new attendance system.
The initiative aligns with a central government directive and is part of a broader push toward transparent and citizen-centric governance.
Implementation Details and Compliance Requirements
Under the new system, employees must mark their attendance exclusively from office premises using the Face App, which incorporates facial recognition and geo-fencing technology.
The app actively verifies the employee’s identity and location, and it records attendance only within designated office boundaries.
Chandrashekhar emphasized that salaries will not be processed for employees who fail to comply with the new protocol.
A formal Government Resolution (GR) outlining the technical and procedural guidelines is expected to be issued shortly.
Objectives Behind the Policy Shift in Maharashtra
The decision is part of a 150-day action plan to improve departmental efficiency and responsiveness.
According to the minister, the policy aims to:
- Increase transparency in government operations
- Ensure timely service delivery to citizens
- Reduce absenteeism and delays in administrative processes
- Strengthen accountability through real-time attendance tracking
The Face App system will eliminate manual attendance loopholes and foster a more disciplined work culture.
Review of Departmental Operations and Pending Cases
The announcement followed a comprehensive review of revenue operations in Raigad district, where Chandrashekhar expressed concern over the backlog of quasi-judicial cases.
He revealed that he had personally resolved over 800 cases in the past four months, and directed officials to clear all pending matters within the 150-day timeframe.
Tehsildars and land records officers are actively using Lok Adalats to resolve grievances more quickly.
This approach helps ensure that citizens receive basic services without needing to approach the Mantralaya (State Secretariat).
Technology and Governance Integration in Maharashtra
The Face App, combined with geo-fencing, represents a shift toward digitized governance. It allows for:
- Precise monitoring of employee presence
- Automated attendance logs for payroll processing
- Reduced scope for proxy attendance or location spoofing
This initiative is part of a larger effort to modernize administrative systems and bring services closer to citizens through technology-enabled oversight.
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