Delhi Air Pollution: In view of the severity of air pollution in the national capital, the central government has changed the working hours for its employees. With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining at a very poor level, the central government on Thursday (November 21) announced a different working time for its employees.
Delhi Air Pollution: With the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) continuously remaining at a very poor level, the central government has announced a different working time for its employees. The order issued by the Union Personnel Ministry states that government offices can remain open from 9 am to 5.30 pm and from 10 am to 6.30 pm. The order also asks employees to travel together in vehicles (vehicle pulling) and use public transport to reduce pollution caused by vehicles.
The order said, “While ensuring that it does not adversely affect productivity in any way, these measures may be adopted by ministries/departments/organisations as per their functional requirements.” It said that in view of the severe level of air pollution in Delhi, various ministries, departments and organisations of the central government are advised to adopt different timings in respect of offices located in Delhi-National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR).
According to PTI, the order said that offices can remain open from 9 am to 5.30 pm and from 10 am to 6.30 pm. It said, “Officers/employees using private vehicles should be encouraged to do vehicle pulling and use public transport to reduce vehicular pollution.”
After a week of ‘severe’ pollution levels in Delhi, the air quality has improved slightly but it still remains in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 376 at 9 am on Thursday.
The move assumes significance as a body representing Central Secretariat Service (CSS) officers had on November 18 demanded work from home, staggered working hours and installation of air purifiers in all offices due to severe pollution levels.
In a letter to the secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the CSS Forum said that poor air quality is having a significant impact on the workplace. It said employees are experiencing symptoms such as respiratory problems, eye irritation, fatigue and general discomfort.
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