Image Source: TRIBUNE

The Central Government on Thursday asked its offices to reduce Group B and C staff at work to 50 per cent starting Thursday till April 4 as steps to reduce people coming out in the wake of COVID-19. The Department of Personnel and Training, in its office order, suggested officers to draw a roster of employees of these Groups to work from office on alternate weeks with the other half working from home. Those on roster to work from home will have to be available on telephone and electronic means and be ready to attend work if called due to exigency. While drawing up the list for the first week, officers should draft those residing closer to work place or who use personal transport. Timings for those in roster called to work too can be in three staggered time slots, suggesting 9 am to 5.30 pm, 9.30 am to 6 pm and 10 am to 6.30 pm. The Department of Financial Services and Department of Public Enterprises, too, have been asked to undertake such steps for financial institutions and public sector undertakings. The order will not be applicable to those employees who are in essential and emergency services or have been drafted for COVID-19 work.