Agartala: The Tripura government has introduced a set of austerity measures, including a work-from-home arrangement for 50 per cent of Group C and D employees, while Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has reduced the size of his official convoy following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation, officials said on Thursday.
According to an order issued by the state government, heads of departments have been directed to ensure that only half of the Group C and D employees attend offices daily, with the remaining staff working from home on a rotational basis.
Officials said departments would prepare weekly rosters for alternate attendance, adding that preference should be given in the first phase to employees residing near their offices.
The order stated that employees working remotely must remain available through telephone and electronic communication and report to the office in case of urgent requirements.
The government also directed public sector undertakings, local bodies, autonomous organisations, statutory bodies and subordinate offices to adopt similar arrangements.
“These instructions shall not apply to the offices and employees engaged in essential and emergency services,” the order said.
Officials said the directives came into force immediately and would remain effective until further orders.
In a parallel move aimed at reducing fuel consumption, the chief minister’s convoy has been downsized from seven vehicles to four, including his official car, officials said.
The decision was taken after discussions between Saha and Director General of Police Anurag following the chief minister’s return from Guwahati on Wednesday, they said.
Speaking to reporters earlier at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport here, Saha had said he was in favour of reducing the convoy size provided security arrangements were not affected.
The measures follow PM Modi’s recent appeal to citizens and institutions to minimise fuel consumption and adopt practices such as work-from-home, use of public transport, electric vehicles and carpooling wherever feasible in view of the prevailing global situation linked to tensions in West Asia.
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