The Delhi government has taken a stern step after air pollution levels continued to remain in the severe category for PM 2.5 and PM 10. As per the guidelines of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), 50% of employees in government and private offices will have to work from home.
After witnessing the air quality in Delhi, the CAQM directed authorities to take action under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III. Following the Supreme Court’s advisory, the CAQM has made amendments to the GRAP schedule.
In the amendments, there is a provision that the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), state governments, municipal corporations, and other offices will have to call only 50% of employees to the office.
The direction were issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and it should be followed with immediate effect by all government offices of the GNCTD and all private offices operating within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
All administrative secretaries and heads of departments in government offices should avoid calling more than 50% of the staff to the office. The remaining 50% of the staff will work from home. Private offices also strictly follow the same rule.
As per the directions, private offices have been asked to implement staggered working hours for employees, under which they will be required to come to and leave the office at different times. Besides this, the parameters of work should be strictly implemented. The authorities have been directed to use a minimum number of vehicles for commuting to offices.
The directives have exempted emergency services such as fire and emergency services, ambulances, disaster management, and municipal vehicles.
All heads of departments and district magistrates have been asked to implement the guidelines strictly, and any violation will invite action under Sections 15 and 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
