The Education Director of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Department has asked zonal deputy directors of all regions in the state to provide information of all junior colleges who have installed biometric attendance machines and those who have not. The directions on biometric machine installation came from state in June after receiving several complaints that colleges of science stream failed to conduct classes in their premises. The colleges in question instead earned handsome profits by offering integrated courses in tie-up with coaching classes and charged exorbitant fees. Gangadhar Mhamane, director of secondary and higher secondary education, said, "We are aware that online FYJC admissions are still going on. This circular is just a reminder for all the junior colleges of science stream to install the biometric machine as per the government instructions." The state education department issue a government resolution (GR) on June 15 for all aided, unaided and self-financed colleges of science stream to install biometric machines in the colleges to mark attendance of the students. Besides the tie ups with classes, complaints were rife as to how some colleges allowed students to miss classes and instead attend lectures in coaching classes. The students only attended practicals in college. The education director has instructed the officials to conduct surprise visits to check in colleges. He has also instructed taking action of de-recognition on colleges who have failed to comply with the rule. The circular issued on August 13 has asked to provide information like total number of higher secondary schools, total number of science junior colleges, number of institutions that have installed biometric machines and those who have not with reasons. Meanwhile, colleges have promised compliance of the order after the admission process in their campuses gets over. A principal from south Mumbai college said, "Currently, admissions are going on. We will start biometric attendance of students as soon as the admissions are over." ATTENDANCE ROW

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