Thumb impressions to mark profs' attendance opposed in MP

Bhopal, Mar 18 (UNI) Both the opposition and treasury benches in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today opposed the practice of taking thumb impressions of professors and other college teachers on biometric machines to record attendance.

''This practice of taking fingerprints was humiliating, belittled the dignity of professors and should be stopped forthwith,'' said Mr Indrajit Kumar, Mr Satyadev Katare (both Congress), Mr Brijendra Tiwari and Mr Gajraj Singh Sikarwar (both Bharatiya Janata Party) who moved a call-attention notice in this regard.

Higher Education Minister Anup Mishra defended use of the machines to record attendance of college teachers by saying that such a practice was in place even at the Mantralaya where attendance of class-one officers was also marked.

Mr Mishra said he would draw the Cabinet's attention to introduction of such a system in all departments. He made this assurance when Mr Sikarwar and other members wanted to know whether such a system would be made applicable for collectors and police superintendents also.

''The bureaucratic decision was thrust upon professors,'' Mr Sikarwar claimed, adding that it should be withdrawn.

Mr Mishra also denied any irregularity or corruption in purchase of the machines through the State Electronics Development Corporation. The Congress members alleged that college principals were being pressurised to purchase the machines at higher cost.

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