Two Days Work From Home for Government Offices in Delhi
Following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of Delhi has announced a series of major austerity and fuel-saving measures aimed at maintaining economic stability.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that employees in government offices will work from home for two days every week. The government is also planning to encourage private offices to implement similar work-from-home policies.
Fuel Usage and Official Vehicle Convoys Reduced
The Chief Minister stated that the number of vehicles in the convoys of ministers and senior officials has been reduced. Additionally, fuel allocation for government officials has been cut by 20 percent.
The reduction will apply to officials who were previously receiving 200 to 250 litres of petrol or diesel every month.
The government also plans to observe one “No Vehicle Day” to promote fuel conservation and reduce unnecessary travel.
Delhi Government Promotes Metro and Virtual Hearings
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged people to use the Delhi Metro as much as possible, especially on Mondays, to reduce fuel consumption and traffic congestion.
The Delhi government has also requested courts to conduct more hearings virtually wherever possible. Officials said the move would reduce travel and help save both fuel and time.
No Major Government Events for Next Three Months
As part of the austerity drive, the Delhi government announced that no major official events will be organised for the next three months.
The government also confirmed that no new government vehicles will be purchased for the next six months. According to officials, the money saved through these measures can be diverted towards welfare and public development projects.
58 New Buses for Government Employees
To reduce the use of private cars by government employees, the Delhi government will introduce 58 new buses for staff transportation.
These buses will operate from 29 government colonies to various government offices across the city, helping employees commute without relying on personal vehicles.
Half of Government Meetings to Be Held Online
The government further announced that 50 percent of official meetings will now be conducted online through computers, laptops or mobile devices.
This decision is expected to reduce travel requirements and make administrative work more efficient.
Ministers to Avoid Foreign Travel for One Year
In another major announcement, the Delhi government said that no minister will undertake foreign visits for the next one year as part of the cost-saving initiative.
Officials stated that reducing expenditure on international travel would help the government save significant public funds during the current period of economic and global uncertainty.