To Be ‘Enforced Strictly’, Vital Services Exempt To Be ‘Enforced Strictly’, Vital Services Exempt New Delhi: Delhi govt on Wednesday mandated offices in the capital – Delhi govt and private – to function with a maximum of 50% of their employees in the workplace and the rest working from home starting Thursday, as a measure to reduce pollution in the city.Delhi labour minister Kapil Mishra said “establishments will have to strictly enforce the work-from-home norms and also motivate employees for car-pooling”. Later in the day, the labour department issued an advisory reiterating the restrictions, adding that “non-compliance is punishable under sections 15 and 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and other applicable laws”.The WFH provisions will not apply to essential services, including hospitals and health services, fire services, prison administration, public transport, electricity services, pollution control departments, forest department and Delhi Jal Board.The govt also announced that it will pay 10,000 to each of the registered construction workers in Delhi because of the 16-day halt in construction work due to Grap provisions aimed at curbing air pollution.In response to worsening air quality, Delhi govt has imposed Grap 4, the highest and strictest stage of Delhi-NCR’s pollution control plan. Under Grap 4, construction and demolition activities have been banned, diesel trucks not carrying essential goods have been barred from entering Delhi and govt has announced it will not give fuel to non-PUC compliant vehicles. Mishra said in addition to making 50% WFH mandatory, offices are also being encouraged to adopt flexible working hours.During the period of Grap restrictions last month, construction activities in Delhi were suspended, which adversely affected the livelihoods of daily-wage construction workers. “Taking this concern into account, Delhi govt has decided to compensate workers for the loss of income caused by the suspension of construction work. Accordingly, financial assistance of 10,000 will be provided to registered and verified construction workers,” Kapil Mishra said. As of Dec 17, Delhi has 2,57,244 workers are registered with Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare. The registrations are a continuous process.About the AuthorAlokKNMishraAlok K N Mishra is a New Delhi–based journalist with The Times of India. He has a deep interest in politics and in exploring how governance can be made to work better for the middle class and the poor. He also enjoys analyzing and predicting national political trends.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Vande Mataram’ Chants Echo As Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM Modi In Oman’India-Oman FTA To Open Major Opportunities Across Key Sectors’: Commerce Minister Piyush GoyalBangladesh Leader’s Seven Sisters Remark Triggers Diplomatic Row, India Summons Envoy Issues WarningBusiness Leaders See Major Growth Potential In India-Oman Ties As PM Modi Visits Muscat‘Might Never See Him Again’: Imran Khan’s Sons Claim ‘Psychological Torture’ In Pak’s Adiala JailDelhi Pollution: China Shares Playbook On How To Fix Air Quality Amid Politics Over AccountabilityExplained: The ₹30 Crore Film Deal That Led To Bollywood Director Vikram Bhatt And His Wife’s ArrestIndia Strengthens Maritime Dominance As Second MH-60R Squadron Joins Indian Navy At INS HansaViksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill Explained: Education Reform Or A Quiet Erosion Of FederalismNational Herald Case: Kharge Alleges ED Misuse, BJP Strikes Back With ‘Most Corrupt Family’ Dig123PhotostoriesBelly fat isn’t just about weight: Doctor explains how it is linked to fatty liver and diabetes5 ways to add peanut butter to daily breakfast8 types of winter laddoos to keep you warmCatching the vibe of the ‘grey’ season: 5 animals that are grey in colourChristmas 2025: How to make moist Eggless Chocolate Cake in a pressure cooker5-minute brain workouts that work: Memory-boosting moves for all agesJohn Abraham birthday special: ‘Dhoom’, ‘Force’, ‘The Diplomat’, films with career-defining roles that made him Bollywood’s ultimate action star to watch on OTT platforms5 upcoming sneaker releases of 2026 that will be worth the hype7 US destinations with Christmas names you never knew existed5 foods to combine with amla during winter season and why123Hot PicksBomb Threat AhmedabadPark Medi World sharesPunjab election result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingLuka DoncicStephen CurryMegan Thee StallionStephen Curry and Ayesha Curry RumorsConnor McDavid Luxury Car CollectionGoverment Job VacanciesBukayo Saka and Tolami Benson Net WorthSSN College AdmissionsFortnite Winterfest Release DateRussell Wilson Wife
New Delhi: Delhi govt on Wednesday mandated offices in the capital – Delhi govt and private – to function with a maximum of 50% of their employees in the workplace and the rest working from home starting Thursday, as a measure to reduce pollution in the city.Delhi labour minister Kapil Mishra said “establishments will have to strictly enforce the work-from-home norms and also motivate employees for car-pooling”. Later in the day, the labour department issued an advisory reiterating the restrictions, adding that “non-compliance is punishable under sections 15 and 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and other applicable laws”.The WFH provisions will not apply to essential services, including hospitals and health services, fire services, prison administration, public transport, electricity services, pollution control departments, forest department and Delhi Jal Board.The govt also announced that it will pay 10,000 to each of the registered construction workers in Delhi because of the 16-day halt in construction work due to Grap provisions aimed at curbing air pollution.In response to worsening air quality, Delhi govt has imposed Grap 4, the highest and strictest stage of Delhi-NCR’s pollution control plan. Under Grap 4, construction and demolition activities have been banned, diesel trucks not carrying essential goods have been barred from entering Delhi and govt has announced it will not give fuel to non-PUC compliant vehicles. Mishra said in addition to making 50% WFH mandatory, offices are also being encouraged to adopt flexible working hours.During the period of Grap restrictions last month, construction activities in Delhi were suspended, which adversely affected the livelihoods of daily-wage construction workers. “Taking this concern into account, Delhi govt has decided to compensate workers for the loss of income caused by the suspension of construction work. Accordingly, financial assistance of 10,000 will be provided to registered and verified construction workers,” Kapil Mishra said. As of Dec 17, Delhi has 2,57,244 workers are registered with Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare. The registrations are a continuous process.
