Unprecedented ‘Work From Home’ event! When 2 large law firms in Gurugram Golf Course Road; know why | Today’s news
With the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), including Gurugram, slipping into the “very poor” category, the district administration has issued show-cause notices to several private commercial enterprises for allegedly violating the directive limiting physical attendance at offices to 50% as part of efforts to curb regional air pollution.
According to reports, the notified establishments include at least two prominent corporate law firms, Trilegal and JSA Advocates & Solicitors, whose offices are located on Golf Course Road (GCR) in Sector 42.
Read also | CAQM rolls out GRAP-III in Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali: Here’s what’s allowed
Two Gurugram law firms issue show cause notices: Here’s what happened
The action against these establishments came days after Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh on Tuesday ordered 50% work from home (WFH) for private establishments as per the guidelines of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The notices were issued on Thursday by the Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM), Badshahpur, after surprise inspections, The Indian Express reported.
Inspections found that JSA Advocates & Solicitors had approximately 87 staff at its office compared to a total of 117 staff, exceeding the permitted on-site limit of approximately 58. Similarly, Trilegal’s office, which has a total staff of 262, had approximately 160 staff present, which is the allowable limit of 5031 under the attendance rule.
The notices stated that the number of staff present at the two offices “exceeds the permissible limit of 50%, indicating non-compliance with the … guidelines” issued by the administration.
The management of both law firms was ordered by the SDM’s office to submit a written response with supporting documents within 24 hours. Businesses were also asked to provide details of their total workforce, biometric and attendance records on the day of the inspection, staff lists and information on employees authorized to work remotely.
The notice also warned that failure to submit a satisfactory response within the stipulated period would lead to the initiation of proceedings under Section 14 of the National Capital Region and Adjacent Areas Commission for Air Quality Management Act 2021 (CAQM Act).
Read also | Delhi Pollution: Rohini tops as AQI nears mark
What are the WFH Rules of Gurugram Administration?
Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh on Tuesday directed all private establishments to limit physical attendance of staff to 50% between November 5 and 20 in view of worsening pollution levels.
On Friday, Singh said, “The guidelines issued by CAQM to mitigate air pollution must be followed in letter and spirit.” He added: “Teams across all subdivisions are monitoring institutions and private units and notices will continue to be sent to all violators.”
Citing sources in the district administration, the report said that this was the first case of corporate offices across Gurugram receiving notices for violating the anti-pollution work-from-home directive.
Officials also said inspection teams were conducting surprise visits in response to complaints posted on social media, where employees and residents flagged the deputy commissioner to flag workplaces allegedly violating the rules.
As the administration steps up inspections and warns of legal action against non-compliant establishments, private offices in Gurugram are under increased scrutiny to ensure they adhere to the 50% WFH mandate.
