In an unprecedented move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday, February 23, directed the state administration to explore the possibility of Mantralaya – the state government headquarters – working in two shifts in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Besides, the government will also examine the feasibility of Work From Home for certain departments to ensure work at full capacity without the risk of coronavirus. This is to curb the crowds of visitors that throng Mantralaya during its current working hours.
Addressing the media after the meeting with the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers’ Confederation, Thackeray said, “We will start work on this innovative method in which there is no compromise on work and the risk of Covid-19 infection will also be less.”
Thackeray’s directive came a day after 75 employees were detected coronavirus-positive in the last two days. Mantralaya has over 5,000 employees, apart from the ministers and bureaucrats who also operate from here.
As per the tentative plan, the shifts will be from 9 am to 4 pm and 11 am to 5 pm, reports suggested.
At a meeting of all departments heads, FMGO, and other top officials, Thackeray urged the need to shed the “10 to 5” work mentality and adapt to the changing times.
In the past year, many Mantralaya staffers have been afflicted by COVID-19 and a few have even succumbed to the contagion.
Earlier, the CM had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look at formulating a policy for staggered working hours during the sixth Governing Council of Niti Aayog.
Moreover, he also directed the state administration to take appropriate action on the entry restrictions on outsiders in Mantralaya within a day or two. He also asked the Chief Secretary to draw up a plan for vaccination of all officers and employees of Mantralaya as frontline warriors.
Share
Tweet
