Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 21: Government doctors working in taluk hospitals and primary health centres (PHCs) across Karnataka will have to mark their night attendance through the Kartavya mobile app after 9 pm from November 1, with a new geo-fencing system set to track their locations and unauthorised absence from designated headquarters potentially inviting disciplinary action.
The new system will initially be rolled out on a pilot basis for doctors working under the Health and Family Welfare Department. The move is aimed at tightening accountability in the public healthcare system, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where doctors’ availability is vital for emergency treatment and after-hours medical services.
The government order was issued by the Praja Seva Department on October 17. Under the directive, the department will introduce a dedicated night attendance module in the Kartavya app, along with a geo-fencing facility to verify whether doctors are marking their attendance from within their prescribed geographical limits.
“This will enable the system to verify whether attendance is being marked from within the prescribed geographical limits. As per the rule, the doctors posted at a particular taluk or village cannot move outside,” sources in the department told The New Indian Express.
Unauthorised absence may invite action
Doctors found absent from their designated headquarters without permission will face action in accordance with the applicable rules.
“The monthly review is expected to help officials identify unauthorised absences and ensure compliance with the new attendance requirements,” the departmental sources added.
However, doctors will be exempt from marking night attendance if they are on sanctioned leave, deputed for officially authorised duties outside their headquarters or have obtained permission from the competent authority to leave their designated locations.
In such cases, the reason for the exemption must be recorded in the app, ensuring that the absence is properly documented and can be verified by the authorities.
Monthly attendance reviews by health officials
The Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services and District Health and Family Welfare Officers will examine attendance reports every month to monitor compliance with the new requirements.
The reviews are expected to help officials identify unauthorised absences and assess whether doctors are remaining at their designated headquarters as required.
Pilot project may be extended to other govt staff
The government has indicated that the outcome of the pilot project will determine whether the night attendance mechanism is extended to other categories of government employees.
The Praja Seva Department has been directed to seek the views of the secretaries of the departments concerned and submit proposals to the government on the possible expansion of the system.
The initiative is part of the state government's efforts to strengthen administrative accountability through digital monitoring and location-based verification, while ensuring that government doctors remain accessible to patients, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to timely medical care is essential.