Gujarat govt to discuss WFH option with industries, corporates: Minister

Gandhinagar: Within days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, recommending adopting austerity measures like reducing fuel consumption, state labour skill development and employment minister Kunvarji Bavaliya said on Wednesday that the govt will begin discussions with industries and corporates on adopting the option of employees working from their homes.

Meanwhile, director general of police (DGP) K L N Rao also directed officials of the police department on Wednesday to avoid unnecessary travel and expand the use of technology in policing matters.

The Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) announced that all commissioners began the system of carpooling from Wednesday in a bid to save fuel. An official statement said that this will result in a 35% decrease in fuel consumption in the GIC.

Minister Bavaliya said that following the appeal made by the PM, his department has decided to start consultations with industries associations, businesses and corporate entities on the work-from-home (WFH) option. “We will speak to all stakeholders. There are some tasks where physical presence of employees is needed. But industries, businesses and corporates can adopt the WFH system where employees can perform their duties from home,” Bavaliya said. He added that as of now, there is no proposal to formulate a WFH policy, but it will be considered if the need arises.

An official statement added that DGP Rao has issued instructions to officers of the police department to avoid unnecessary travel and expand the use of technology. “Escort and piloting services will only be allocated to dignitaries eligible under the specified category. All departmental meetings and crime conferences must be conducted via video conferencing,” an official statement quoted the DGP as saying.

The statement added that the DGP has also issued instructions to use telephonic or other communication means instead of in-person visits for court operations and consultations. In case of allotting police personnel for bandobust of various events, it has been decided that cops attached to the nearest police station will be assigned duties and cops have been urged to use just one vehicle or public transport for reaching such venues.