‘Non-essential’ services of Delhi govt may be shut
NEWDELHI: The Delhi government is working on a plan to shut till March 31 some of its departments catering to non-essential services and allow employees to work from home to prevent a possible community spread of the novel coronavirus, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said Thursday.
Thecmdiscussedtheproposal with Delhi LG Anil Baijal Thursday and the latter approved.
“It was agreed all activities of the Delhi government will be segregated into essential and non-essential services. Further, all nonessential activities shall remain suspended. However, all employees will be available for work from home telephonically and online if need be,” a statement from the L-G’S office read.
Departments under essential services include health, food, civil supplies, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Fire Services and so on.
Some departments catering to non-essentials include tourism, art and culture, languages, and development. “Non-essential services will be stopped but details are still being worked out,” Kejriwal said after meeting the L-G. He said a formal announcement will come Friday on departments in which work would be suspended.
The CM, appealing to people to avoid going out, urged private firms to permit work from home. “Stay at home as much as you can. I want to appeal to private institutions to provide workfrom-home permits to employees. Senior citizens are most vulnerable; I appeal to them to stay at home and don’t go out,” he said.
Staggering office timings for some departments, like during odd-even scheme when air pollution had peaked, is also being explored, an official said on condition of anonymity. Umesh Batra, general secretary, Delhi Government Employees’ Welfare Association, welcomed the move. “Orders have not been issued yet so we do not know if our demand has been fulfilled. Nevertheless, we welcome the CM’S announcement,” he said.