Is a Computerized Muster Roll Enough, or Do We Still Need Manual Records?

Can seniors suggest about the muster roll register, i.e., whether computerized muster roll (Computer Sheet) is valid in all respects, or we have to maintain manually.

Sunil

Dear Sunil,

First of all, please clarify under which Act you are required to maintain the muster roll so that we may examine the matter under that particular Act.

Regards,

R.N.Khola

(Labour Law & Legal Consultants)
09810405361

Dear Muster Roll as per the Factories Act should be maintained manually. However, you can maintain computerized records, but permission needs to be obtained from the Director of Factories to maintain computerized records. As Mr. Khola has mentioned, your query is not clear.

Thank you,
J. S. Malik

Dear Sunil,

Now, go through your State Shops & Commercial Establishment Rules to see how the records are required to be maintained. In our state of Haryana, according to the State Rules, we are required to make entries in the registers in ink. However, the Government has the power to exempt employers from the operation of any or all provisions deemed fit and desirable. The Government and its officers do not have sufficient time to review or amend these enactments. Therefore, it is advised to apply for an exemption to the Government or its authorized officer.

Opinion submitted as requested.

Regards,
R.N.Khola
(Labour Law & Legal Consultants)
09810405361

Dear Lata,

We are required to maintain a muster roll. The format of the muster roll is prescribed under the respective State Rules. Please go through your State Rules and maintain the register accordingly. I am attaching Form A (muster roll) as provided in The Haryana Maternity Benefit Rules, 1967, for the information of the Haryana HR members. In addition to this, you should also keep records of notices received from female employees, maternity leaves granted to them, and the payments made to them according to the Act. You are also required to send the annual returns to the prescribed authority of your State. If your unit falls under the preview of the central government, then adhere to the central rules.

Regards,

R.N.Khola
(Labour Law & Legal Consultants)
09810405361

Dear Mr. Khola and Mr. Mallik,

I would like to know the exact format of the Muster role and also the statutory rules regarding the same for our company. Our company is a factory incorporated under the Companies Act situated in Karnataka. It is a startup with 32 employees currently. We belong to the heavy machinery and repairs industry. We have around 20 people working in the factory who are technicians and around 10 people in administration. We have had the fingerprinting machine introduced for all employees for tracking their attendance for about a month. Does this system satisfy the statutory rules? Or do we have to maintain an attendance register for the factory workers?

Awaiting your response.

Warm Regards,
Gaury

Dear Gauri,

After going through your brief statement, it is clear that your unit is covered under the Factories Act and thus, you are required to maintain the muster roll in the prescribed format as provided by your State Factory Rules. Regarding the system of tracking the attendance of the workers/employees through a fingerprinting machine, it is submitted that these types of systems do not have any statutory force or acceptance until the approval of the Government/Chief Inspector of Factories of the concerned State. Therefore, until then, you are advised to maintain the attendance register according to the rules of your State.

Regards,

R.N. Khola
Skylark Associates, Gurgaon (Haryana)
(Labour Law & Legal Consultants)
09810405361

Hi Mr. Khola,

I am working in HR at a company under the Shop and Establishment Act where nothing is properly managed. I would like to know how to prepare a muster roll for 200 employees who work at different sites (apartments). As far as I know, the accounts department is not handling this task. Could you please advise on the legal benefits of preparing the muster roll?

Gayatri Singh

Dear Gayatri,

Muster roll is required to be kept as per the requirements of the applicable Act and Rules. We are bound to produce the attendance register of the working class/employees as and when demanded by the law-enforcing agency. Moreover, without this record, how will we prepare the wages/salary of the workers/employees? Please take the attendance from all the sites and send it to your email. Ask the in-charge of each site to supply the information.

R.N. Khola

Hi Mr. Khola,

I am doing an HR job in a company under the Shop and Establishment Act where nothing is managed. I wanted to know how to prepare a muster roll for 200 employees who work on different sites (apartments). As per my information, the accounts department is not preparing it. What are the legal benefits of preparing a muster roll?

Singh