New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS): In a bid to ensure timely and regular attendance of its employees national carrier Air India Thursday said that it will install a biometric attendance system.

According to a senior official at the airline, the new system will ensure the identity of the employees and data on their attendance in a computerised format.

It was found out that the earlier system of punching cards made mandatory since 2007 was being misused by some employees who did not even turn up for work.

The development also assumes significance as Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati instructed the airline to make sure that employees turn up on time and on regular basis.

The minister issued a detail set of guidelines seeking progress being made on the issue.

Apart from the attendance issue, the minister also wanted to be informed about the profitability of routes-of the airline.

He has instructed the national carrier to implement a 20 set of rules relating to streamlining operations, and adequate use of manpower.

One such guideline also advises the airline to divert its extra staff to other Civil Aviation Ministry undertakings such as Airports Authority of India (AAI).