Giving a major relaxation in COVID-19 lock down, the government has decided that all central ministries, departments, and their subordinate offices will work from April 20, with 100% attendance of Deputy Secretary and above rank officers. The 33% of the remaining staff are to be present as per requirement. The Home Ministry notification says that ministries like Defence, Health and Family Welfare, and government agencies like Food Corporation of India, and various central paramilitary forces will start working at full strength.
Agencies like Nehru Yuva Kendra, National Cadet Corps, Customs and the various disaster management, and early warning agencies like India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Seismology will also start working at full capacity.
In states, departments like police, home guard, fire, prisons, municipal bodies and civil defence, will also function with 100 per cent attendance.
Notification, however states that social distancing norms are to be followed at all times.
Like at centre, the states’ governments can also allow group ‘A’ and ‘B’ officials to attend office. 33% staff in group ‘C’ and below have to attend office as per requirement.
The notification makes it clear that public services have to be delivered, and necessary staff will be deployed for the purpose.
