Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday unveiled a set of steps to conserve fuel after an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The measures include allowing employees to work from home two days a week, encouraging maximum use of the Metro, introducing staggered office hours, and calling for a designated no-vehicle day.
The measure introduced under the ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdaan’ campaign, is a push towards conserving fuel amid the rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia crisis.
Work from home – Rekha Gupta has announced at the government level that employees will be allowed to work from home two days each week. The private sector will likewise be encouraged to offer work-from-home options. The Labour Department will oversee and ensure the implementation of this policy.
Minimum vehicles to be used- The Chief Minister urged the reduction in the usage of cars and the use of a minimum number of vehicles.
Metro Monday- All ministers and officials have been advised to use Metro as much as possible to reduce dependence on personal transport.
Segregated office timings- Delhi CM also informed that the Delhi government has introduced segregated office timings from 10:30 am to 7 pm. Further, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has also been asked to run its offices from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
No vehicle day- She also called for a ‘no vehicle day’ where people will use public transport.
No new vehicles for the Delhi government- She said that the Delhi government will not procure any new vehicles for the next six months.
Increase in transportation allowance- Delhi CM also asserted that the transport allowance will be increased by 10 per cent if employees increase public transport usage by 25 per cent.
Online meet- The Delhi government will conduct 50 per cent of their meetings online. She also urged colleges and universities to host meetings online.
No official foreign travel- Under fuel conservation measures, Rekha Gupta announced that government officials or ministers will not undertake official foreign travel for the next one year.
No big events- Delhi govt will not host big events or conferences for the next three months, she said. Big exhibitions with Made in India products will be held in malls and supermarkets
AC temperature limit- Air conditioner temperature to be set at 24 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius to conserve electricity in government offices.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi called on Indians to take steps such as lowering their petrol and diesel usage, delaying overseas trips, cutting back on edible oil consumption, and refraining from buying gold.
The measures are being introduced as the government contends with the economic repercussions of the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.