Iris scanner to construction workers’ aid

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 10

In a major relief to thousands of construction workers, the Punjab Health Department has decided to equip all government hospitals with iris scanners for biometric identification.

The Tribune had highlighted that construction workers were bereft of the benefit under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana because the fingerprint scanners at the hospitals had failed to detect their fingerprints due to skin abrasions.

Taking corrective measures, the department has directed all civil surgeons to ensure iris scanners at all government hospitals for easy enrollment of construction workers.

Due to their nature of work, construction workers get mechanical skin abrasion on their fingers, causing identification issues. At present, nodal officers at the hospitals do not have any other method but fingerprint scanners to complete the registration process.

Health and Labour Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said beneficiaries could get themselves registered using an alternative method. Moreover, provisions were already available in the software wherein beneficiaries could be enrolled either through fingerprint reader or iris scanner, he said.

Sidhu said instructions had already been issued to all authorised hospitals in this regard. Strict action would be taken against the health establishments where any laxity in this connection came to light, he added.

Vijay Walia, a social activist fighting for the rights of construction workers, said it would help thousands of workers in the state. He said, “The orders should be implemented in letter and spirit so that workers can get health benefits. Apart from this, the Labour Department should also work on creating awareness about the Ayushman scheme among the workers.”

Karamjit Singh, Senior Medical Officer, Patran Block, said, “We have received the directions and machines are being linked to the registration system. The alternative method will be started in a day or two.”

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