For Delhi's workforce, the government's directive mandating 50% of staff to work from home under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was envisioned as a measure to cut traffic and pollution. However, as the order comes into effect, it has been met with widespread confusion and a patchy, half-baked implementation on the ground.
Widespread Confusion and Awaiting Clarity
The Delhi government announced on Wednesday that it would mandatorily enforce the 50% work-from-home rule in both private and government offices starting December 18. Despite the official announcement, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over its execution. Many employees remain unaware of the directive's existence, while others are in a holding pattern, waiting for official instructions.
This confusion was palpable among Delhi government staff. An official at the Delhi Secretariat revealed, "It hasn't been implemented yet, and there is no information on when it will be. But there are chances it may begin by Thursday." On social media, doubts were raised about the order's scope, with one user pointing out that numerous central government offices do not fall under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi's (GNCTD) purview.
Mixed Signals from Private Sector and Implementation Hurdles
The response from the private sector has been inconsistent. While large multinational companies with existing flexible policies found it easier to adapt, many smaller firms are either ignoring the order or are structurally unable to comply.
Tushar, an employee at a London-based firm with a Delhi office, noted their inherent flexibility but confirmed no official communication had been received regarding the GRAP directive. In contrast, Rohit, who runs a small advertising agency, stated plainly, "We do not have the manpower to allow work from home. We can't guarantee that staff will be diligent without supervision."
Similarly, Salil Bhatia, director of a financial consultancy, highlighted practical barriers: "As a chartered accountant firm, auditing requires client visits, and our staff lacks the resources at home to work efficiently." Some companies have opted for alternative measures, like mandating masks and requesting the use of public transport.
Only a handful of firms have formally implemented the 50% rule, most of which already had remote work systems in place. Some organisations are splitting teams by function; an employee at a B2B company explained their 60-40 split, with field staff like sales reporting for duty and desk-based employees working from home.
Vague Directives and Unclear Enforcement Mechanisms
A significant part of the problem lies in the order's inherent ambiguity. It leaves ample room for interpretation regarding who qualifies for work-from-home, what constitutes essential work, and how strictly the rules will be enforced. The order exempts hospitals, utilities, transport, and disaster services but includes a vague "other essential services" clause, leaving the status of contractual or security staff unclear.
Enforcement responsibility lies with district magistrates and local bodies. An official from a DM office told TOI that directions would be issued to eligible parties but emphasized that "the onus is also on the offices themselves." While violations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, can attract fines up to Rs 1 lakh or even imprisonment, it remains uncertain who will issue these penalties and how compliance will be periodically checked.
Experts like Vivek Chattopadhyay from the Centre for Science and Environment acknowledge the move's purpose—to reduce vehicles, a major pollution source—but point out implementation challenges, especially in unorganised sectors. He stressed the need for periodic checks and clear, precise guidance for identified sectors.
As the order takes effect, both government and private employees anticipate that it will take a few more days for clarity and consistent implementation to emerge, leaving Delhi's ambitious pollution control measure currently stuck in a limbo of confusion.
