Delhi pollution: Govt orders work from home; private, govt offices to function at 50 % strength
PTC News Desk: The Delhi government on Monday directed all the government and private offices to enforce work from home and function at no more than 50 % strength as part of emergency curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III.
The directions come as air quality in the national capital sustained deterioration with the pollution levels breaching prescribed standards during peak winter months. Delhi has been notified as an air pollution control area since 1987, and authorities have invoked successive stages of GRAP since mid-October following directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The order was issued by the Department of Environment & Forests under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the order, all GNCTD government offices must ensure that not more than half their staff is physically present. Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments may summon additional personnel only when essential to maintain emergency and public services.
Hospitals, health establishments, fire services, prisons, public transport departments, electricity and water utilities, sanitation bodies, disaster management units, and agencies involved in pollution control or enforcement have been exempted from the 50% cap.
- With inputs from agencies
