From correspondents in Bihar, India, 04:00 PM IST

The Bihar government has for the first time installed 'punching machines' at the state secretariat to monitor the attendance of employees, from the top brass to peons, and improve punctuality.

Bihar chief secretary Anup Mukherjee said Wednesday: 'It is going to improve the functioning of offices.'

In the coming days, the machines will be installed in different government offices in Patna and the district headquarters, official sources said.

Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary, human resource development, here said the installation of punching machines will have an effect on the attendance of employees in the secretariat.

The punching machines have been welcomed by the majority of employees.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)