The Tripura government is set to introduce a biometric attendance system in all government-run tribal hostels in an effort to closely monitor the presence of students. The announcement was made by the Tribal Welfare department on May 5, following a review meeting led by Tribal Welfare minister Bikash Debbarma.
Currently, there are 164 tribal hostels under the Tribal Welfare department, with an additional 43 hostels operating under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The state government allocates Rs 80 crore annually to support these hostels.
According to Tribal Welfare department Director Subhasish Das, the biometric attendance system will be implemented in all hostels directly managed by the department. Students will be required to use the system twice a day – in the morning and evening – to ensure transparency in attendance records and prevent any alleged malpractice.
In the second phase, the biometric system will be extended to hostels under the TTAADC and those run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A dedicated software is also being developed to facilitate the implementation of the system.
Additionally, the department plans to introduce smart class facilities in 100 hostels in the first phase, allowing students to access online classes controlled from a centralized mechanism in Agartala. Digital library facilities with 5G Internet connections will also be provided in all hostels, along with solar lighting systems.
Furthermore, the Tribal Welfare department is proposing an increase in the daily food allowance for students from Rs.80 to Rs.120 to account for rising prices. Plans are also in place to introduce clean and green awards at the subdivision, district, and state levels to recognize hostels that maintain cleanliness and green spaces.
The department has recommended the appointment of superintendents for all hostels to ensure efficient management. These initiatives aim to enhance the overall quality of facilities and education provided to students residing in government-run tribal hostels in Tripura.
