Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the immediate withdrawal of the two-day work-from-home (WFH) arrangement and staggered office timings for government employees. The decision marks a return to regular operational schedules, with the Chief Minister's Office citing a normalized geopolitical situation as the primary reason for the rollback.
Previously, Delhi government staff were permitted to work from home on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This measure, alongside revised office hours, was initially implemented in May following an austerity push by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The earlier directives aimed to conserve energy amidst the war in Iran and broader uncertainties linked to the West Asia conflict.
New Office Timings for Delhi Government
Under the revised schedule, offices of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) will now operate from 10 am to 6:30 pm. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will, however, maintain its existing timings of 8:30 am to 5 pm, ensuring continuity in its services.
Austerity Measures Rolled Back
The withdrawal of the WFH policy is part of a broader reversal of several austerity and fuel-saving measures introduced in May. These included:
- A "Metro Monday" initiative, encouraging ministers and senior officials to use public transport.
- A one-year freeze on official foreign visits for ministers and officers.
- A six-month ban on the purchase of new petrol, diesel, CNG, or hybrid vehicles for the Delhi government fleet.
Chief Minister Gupta had also previously urged citizens to observe a weekly "No Vehicle Day" and encouraged institutions to maximize online hearings and lectures to reduce overall transport needs. With the geopolitical landscape now deemed stable, the government is moving to restore pre-May operational norms across its departments.