NEW DELHI: As air pollution levels in the national capital remain severe, the Delhi government on Wednesday issued an advisory asking all government and private offices in the national capital to ensure 50 per cent work-from-home (WFH) from December 18. The move is aimed at reducing vehicular emissions and limiting public exposure as stricter pollution curbs come into force.
The advisory, announced by Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, makes it clear that essential services will be exempt from the WFH directive, reported news agency UNI. These include hospitals, jail administration, fire services, power and water departments, public transport, disaster management, and the environment department.
50 per cent work-from-home advisory begins December 18
According to the advisory, all non-essential government and private institutions have been asked to implement the 50 per cent WFH rule with immediate effect from December 18.
The government has also warned that violations of the order will attract strict penal action under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act.
Rs 10,000 compensation announced for construction workers
In a relief measure for workers hit by construction shutdowns, the advisory stated that registered construction workers affected due to work suspension under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-III and GRAP-IV will be provided Rs 10,000 as compensation by the Delhi government.
Construction activities are among the first to be halted under higher stages of GRAP, impacting thousands of daily-wage workers across the city.
Schools move to hybrid, online classes amid pollution spike
Earlier, the Delhi government had directed schools across the city to shift to a hybrid mode of learning for students up to Classes 9 and 11, following an advisory from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
As per the official order, complete online classes have been announced for students up to Class 5, while the option to attend classes online has been left to students and parents for other covered classes. Schools have been asked to immediately inform parents, and the order will remain in force until further instructions.
Students of Classes 10 and 12 will continue with offline classes as usual, the government clarified.
Agencies