In response to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s call for austerity amid soaring global disruptions triggered by escalating tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict, the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a 2-day work from home (WFH) policy each week for government employees.

Government sources said the sweeping measures have been rolled out to reduce fuel consumption, ease pressure on public infrastructure and ensure continuity of governance during uncertainty.

Administration urges private companies to follow suit

As per the newly-introduced policy, all the government offices in the national capital will implement WFH for two days a week. The district administration has also appealed to the private companies to follow suit and the labour department has been tasked with monitoring compliance.

In a parallel development, close to 50% of the official meetings will now be conducted in virtual mode. Moreover, the government has also urged the courts to ramp up the frequency of online hearings, signalling a broader shift towards remote functioning.

Fuel cuts, reduced official perks

A key component of the austerity drive is a 20% slash in fuel allocation for government officials. Notably, this shall apply to officers receiving between 200 and 250 litres of petrol or diesel monthly.

Additionally, the convoys used by ministers and senior officials have also been downsized. Employees entitled to official vehicles will be incentivised to opt for public transport, with a 10% raise in allowances offered to those who adhere to the same.

Weekly ‘No vehicle day’ announced

In another effort to limit the usage of fuel, the Delhi government has also introduced a weekly ‘No vehicle day,’ encouraging both officials and commoners to rely on public modes of transport. Residents have been specifically urged to use the Delhi Metro on Mondays to reduce congestion on roads and save fuel.

Government officials said efforts are also underway to redesign bus routes across Delhi to enhance last-mile connectivity and make public transport more accessible and efficient.

Another significant restriction imposed by the government is the prohibition of government officers from undertaking foreign travel as part of the austerity framework. Moreover, over the next three months, no major government events shall be organised.