Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a slew of measures, including two days of work from home in government offices every week, staggered working hours, and a ban on official foreign travel for the next year.
The measures, part of the city government’s public campaign titled ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yugdan’, came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel and reduce foreign exchange inflow amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
On May 10, Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, avoid unnecessary travel abroad, reduce gold purchases, and adopt other fuel conservation measures.
“As part of the plan, private companies will be advised to allow employees to work from home for two days a week wherever possible, while government offices will also adopt a similar arrangement. The Ministry of Labor will monitor implementation in the private sector,” she said.
Gupta said that the government decided to launch the campaign after the Prime Minister’s appeal, and that it would include government officials and ministers traveling by metro on Monday.
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Staggered office timings, increased use of public transport: Delhi Govt
The government has also decided to introduce staggered working hours for civic, Delhi and central government offices to ease congestion and conserve fuel.
She also appealed to citizens to adhere to a “No Vehicles” day every week and to reduce the use of private vehicles on weekends.
The government will also halt new purchases of petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles over the next six months, she added.
She said the transportation allowance for employees could be increased if part of the allowance is spent on the metro or other public transportation services.
The government is also planning to upgrade feeder bus services in 29 government colonies to improve last-mile connectivity for Metro passengers.
Read also | Convoys have shrunk and metro journeys have risen as leaders tighten belts following Prime Minister Modi’s call to save fuel
Delhi government ministers avoid foreign visits for a year
In another major measure, Delhi government ministers and officials will avoid official foreign visits for a year. She added that the government will not hold any major public events and conferences during the next three months to reduce spending.
She added that the campaign also aims to promote domestic tourism by inviting people from all over the country to visit Delhi through special tourism schemes.
The government also plans to promote ‘Made in India’ products through dedicated sections in malls and supermarkets and give preference to Indian-made goods in government procurement, she added.
The campaign includes a pledge to citizens to encourage people to save fuel, use public transportation, avoid unnecessary travel abroad, and reduce excessive consumption of edible oil. She added that to conserve electricity, it was decided to keep the temperature of air conditioners between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius in government departments.
Read also | Ministers use public transportation; NDMC places two-thirds of the staff at WFH
Why WFH, the online meeting push from Delhi government?
The war began on February 28, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit route, and raising concerns about a broader energy crisis.
Delhi government ministers and senior officials on Wednesday began implementing a series of austerity and fuel conservation measures in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity call.
Urging residents to follow suit, Gupta said that switching from private vehicles to metro trains and buses will not only help save fuel, but will also reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
The Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board and Irrigation and Flood Control Department have also issued official orders directing officials to prioritize virtual meetings, promote electric mobility and observe a weekly ‘car-free day’.
