Delhi makes 2-day work from home mandatory for government employees

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced mandatory work-from-home for government employees for two days a week, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt measures to conserve fuel.

Read more: Delhi govt asks private offices, IT firms to adopt 2 days work from home amid fuel-saving push

"At the government level, Delhi Government offices will observe work from home for two days every week. Similarly, private companies and institutions will also be advised to implement work from home for two days a week. This will be an advisory, and the Labour Department will monitor its implementation," said Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.


Additionally, the official petrol and diesel quota for officers’ vehicles has been reduced by 20 per cent, while ministers and government officials will be required to use the Metro every Monday. "Our departments have already cut down on fuel expenses with only the minimum vehicles needed being used, and public transport is being used wherever possible. Officials’ petrol limits of 200–250 litres per month have been reduced by 20%. Now it’s 160 to 200 litres. Every Monday will be 'Metro Monday'," said the Delhi CM while addressing the press conference.

The measures comes amid PM Modi urging citizens to prioritise work from home, cut fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel for a year, adopt Swadeshi products, reduce cooking oil use, shift to natural farming and curb gold purchases.

To combat the volatility of fuel prices, PM Modi urged a shift in how India moves. He requested citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using the metro and public transport wherever available, opting for carpooling when private vehicles are necessary, preferring railway transport for the movement of goods, and increasing the use of electric vehicles wherever possible.

Similarly, the Delhi CM announced that private companies and institutions will also be advised to implement work from home for two days a week. This will be an advisory, and the Labour Department will monitor its implementation.

In a major symbolic move, Rekha Gupta reduced her official motorcade by nearly 60 per cent, bringing it down to just four vehicles, including two electric vehicles (EVs), as part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility.