Delhi govt orders work-from-home for 50 percent of employees

Delhi government has issued work-from-home orders for 50 per cent of its employees associated with non-essential services amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital. It has also advised private establishments to follow the same practice as far as possible.

Delhi chief secretary and DDMA executive committee chairman Vijay Dev said, all Delhi government offices, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, corporations, local bodies will function with officers of grade-one level or equivalent and above to the extent of 100 per cent. He said, the remaining staff will attend up to 50 per cent as per requirement to be assessed by heads of the departments concerned. The remaining 50 per cent of the staff will work from home till December 31, or till further orders whichever is earlier.

Private offices have been advised to stagger the office timings and quantum of staff with an objective to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time. They are further advised to follow the practice of work from home as much as possible.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal approved the proposal yesterday. “The heads of departments will decide about how to implement it according to the requirements of staff at their disposal.

The move, applicable to all Delhi government employees except grade-one and above officers, is aimed at bringing down the number of non-essential services staff in the offices in view of COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal does not cover departments concerned with essential services, including health, police, home guards and civil defence, district administrations, fire, electricity and water, municipal services among others.