New Delhi, Dec 18: Strict measures will be implemented in the national capital from today (Thursday) due to the high level of air pollution in Delhi. Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra has ordered that all government and private institutions in Delhi have been asked to work from home for their staff from today.
In accordance with the directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Environment Department, from Thursday, more than 50% of the people will not be able to come to the office in all government and private offices. It would be better if all employees were given the option of working from home, Minister Mishra told a press conference.
Only some essential services, including public and private healthcare facilities, fire services, public transport and the prison department, have been exempted from this rule. The government has said that since vehicular pollution causes widespread air pollution and releases harmful air pollutants, there is a need for more restrictions on vehicular movement, especially when the air quality is very poor.
The government has appealed to offices to make working hours flexible and encourage carpooling among employees.
Similarly, GRAP 3 (Graded Response Action Plan) was imposed in Delhi for 16 days. Construction was banned during those days, which affected construction workers. Thus, the Delhi government has decided to send Rs 10,000 directly to the bank accounts of registered and verified construction workers.
Apart from this, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has said that from today, vehicles without PUC certificate will not be supplied fuel at petrol pumps. PUC certificate is a certificate under pollution control. It is mandatory for every vehicle driver in Delhi to have this certificate.