Mizoram orders 20% staff to work from home, rolls out fuel-saving curbs

Aizawl:The Mizoram govt has ordered a set of austerity and fuel-conservation measures, including work from home for 20% of staff in every department, effective from Thursday.

In an Office Memorandum (OM) issued by Sudhir Kumar, principal secretary, general administration department (GAD), the state said the steps follow the Prime Minister’s appeal amid the West Asia crisis.

"In view of the above and considering the geographical remoteness of Mizoram and the high transportation costs borne by the state, the Government of Mizoram has decided to enforce economy and fuel conservation measures until further orders in a number of sectors," the OM said.

Under the OM, 20% of the workforce in each department will work from home. Duty rosters will be prepared by administrative heads and heads of departments to ensure essential public services are not affected. Work from home will not apply to departments delivering medical and emergency services, water supply, power supply, disaster response, transport services and law and order duties.

Government offices in Aizawl will shift to staggered working hours to reduce time spent in traffic and fuel consumption for those attending office. The first group will work from 8.30am to 4.30pm, and the second group from 10.30am to 6.30pm.

The state will observe a “No Official Vehicle Day” every Wednesday to cut fuel expenditure. Officers and staff have been encouraged to walk or use public transport on the day. The OM also said there will be voluntary reduction in official convoy size of the CM, ministers and other dignitaries.

Departments have been asked to hold meetings with field offices through video conferencing “as far as possible” to reduce travel and fuel use.

Foreign travel, inter-district travel within Mizoram and official travel outside the state will be restricted to the bare minimum and undertaken only where absolutely necessary.

The OM said the measures are temporary and aimed at supporting the national effort to limit the economic impact of the global situation.

The OM attributed the move to disruptions linked to the West Asian conflict, saying it has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane through which nearly 20% of the world’s fuel supply passes, pushing energy prices higher. It noted India imports more than 85% of its crude oil and prolonged disruptions are beginning to impact the country.

“It is imperative for the people of the country to conserve fuel, reduce avoidable expenditure and minimise dependence on imported products in view of the ongoing West Asia crisis and the resultant rise in global crude oil prices and disruption of supply chains,” it said.