PORVORIM: The State government will introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition system to curb absenteeism and streamline staff management across all 191 village panchayats in Goa.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that the system, which will be designed by Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), is expected to be operational within the next six months, by January 2025. The system will monitor the attendance of employees in village panchayats, aiming to address the persistent issue of absenteeism among panchayat secretaries and staff, which has caused significant inconvenience to the public.
Mayem MLA Premendra Shet raised the issue of absenteeism, highlighting how the absence of village panchayat secretaries and staff had left the public stranded and frustrated. In response, Godinho pointed out that the existing biometric attendance system had been tampered with by some panchayat staff, rendering it ineffective. The proposed facial recognition system will be a comprehensive tool, monitoring not only attendance but also workload. The system is designed to function even without internet connectivity, ensuring continuous monitoring, he said.
Regarding the issue of additional charge leading to delayed or absent panchayat secretaries, Shet urged the Minister to relieve secretaries of their additional duties and fill vacant posts. Godinho acknowledged that 20 posts of panchayat secretaries were currently vacant due to retirements and resignations, and these vacancies had already been communicated to the State Staff Selection Commission for filling. In response to Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Godinho said disciplinary proceedings were underway against three panchayat members, with three others already suspended.