Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: The Tripura government has announced a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing expenditure and conserving fuel, directing that 50 per cent of Group C and D employees in government offices work from home on a rotational basis with immediate effect.
According to an official order issued by the state government, Heads of Departments (HoDs) have been instructed to ensure that only half of the Group C and D workforce attends office each day, while the remaining employees work remotely.
The order said HoDs would prepare weekly duty rosters for Group C and D employees and implement alternate-week attendance schedules. While preparing the roster for the first week, preference should be given to officials residing near their respective offices.
Officials working from home have been directed to remain available through telephone and electronic communication at all times and report to office if required in case of any urgent work, the order said.
The government also instructed that similar measures be adopted by public sector undertakings (PSUs), local bodies, autonomous and statutory bodies, and subordinate offices functioning under the state administration.
“These instructions shall not apply to the offices and employees engaged in essential and emergency services,” the order stated.
The move comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urging citizens and institutions to conserve fuel and adopt work-from-home practices wherever feasible.
The order said the directives had come into force with immediate effect and would remain applicable until further instructions are issued.
There was no immediate response from employees’ organisations on the decision.