Clerks remained immune even when change was enveloping every aspect of civic functioning, that not only earned the second cleanest tag for Surat once known more for its dirt and disease-ridden population but also brought oodles of fame in its wake from all corners. If former municipal commissioner S R Rao set the ball rolling and his predecessor S Jagadeesan ensured that it remained in motion.

When the SMC was receiving accolades for its efficiency, it was a common sight to see the main building staff in Muglisara strolling into office much after their day was supposed to begin at 10.30 am and calling it a day much early. While the lunch hour would begin early and continue ahead of the stipulated time,same was the case for tea breaks.

All this is set to become a thing of the past now with the civic body inviting tenders for introducing the punch card system. The first casualty will be the latecomers who for so far managed to sneak in after 11 am and ensure that the attendance register showed 10.30 am. Either in collusion with section officers, head clerks or office superintendents, many managed to tamper with the timing and were rarely pulled up for their lapses.

The second casualty will be the ones calling their day early. Most falling in this category either live in periphery or nearby towns. Leaving the civic premises early they managed to catch the most convenient train or bus, a luxury they will be robbed of.

Not that the vigilance department did not carry out surprise checks to find out who was not working, but it did not really deter the habitual offenders. When the vigilance officials started getting tough with them, the usual ploy would be to take a casual leave for that day thus escapingfrom disciplinary action. But if lower level staff were playing truant their seniors did precious little to call them to account. In some cases these head clerks, office superintendants or section officers were themselves caught on the wrong foot. While the cleanliness drives and hygiene codes had their field staff and senior officials on their toes right since morning, same could not be said of the rest. Movement Register, a must in every department in which a staffer going to other department or outside for work is supposed to enter the time, remained a mere show piece at many places.

Now, all the senior officials, field staff and clerical staff would be required to punch their individual card once the Standing Committee approves of the decision.

``It will be difficult to fool a machine,'' says assistant commissioner B T Shah, welcoming the move. He, however, says the vigilance department was working quite effectively earlier. ``If discipline is to be inculcated such measures are necessary,'' saysadditional city engineer K M Parekh.

Predictably, there are murmurs of dissentive voice from some employees, even before the decision is to take effect. ``If they want to work they will have to punch the card. By not doing so, they will be staking their jobs,'' warns another official.

The punch card system follows Jagadeesan's decision to make all senior officers wear uniform - the first civic body to do so. Another officer feels like uniform, the punch card system will also be useful in the long run. Some employees might come up with loopholes in the system, but they can always be tackled, he adds.