Coronavirus Scare: 50% staff of govt. dept in Assam to attend offices till March 31

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: In view of the preventive measures for coronavirus (COVID-19) prescribed by the Centre and advisories issued by the State government to minimize assembly of people in public places, the General Administration Department (GAD), Assam has asked the Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and heads of departments in districts and sub-divisions to ensure that only 50 per cent Grade II, III and IV employees attend offices and the remaining 50 per cent of staff work from their respective homes.

In an order issued on March 21, the GAD said that heads of offices should prepare duty rosters of their staff making them to attend offices in alternate weeks. The order has clearly advised the heads of offices to include officials residing in close proximity of offices while preparing the duty roster for the first week. The order will remain in force till March 31, 2020.

The order further said that officials/employees who are working from home in accordance with their duty rosters should be available on telephone, mobile phone and electronic means of communication at all times, and that the period of working from home will not be treated as leave. They should attend office when called for any urgency or work.

These instructions, according to the order, shall not apply to the offices engaged in essential and emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

Similar orders may be issued to attached/sub-ordinate offices, autonomous/statutory bodies by the respective heads of administrative departments.

The Secretariat Administrative (Estt) Department, Dispur has also issued such an order to the senior-most Secretary/Head of Administrative Department to ensure only 50 per cent employees in the cadre of superintendent and below working in the Janata Bhawan are required to attend office everyday and the remaining 50 per cent shall be instructed to work from their respective homes.

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