The Directorate of Education in Delhi on Saturday ordered all schools to conduct classes for students up to Class IX due to deteriorating air quality in the city. and XI. classes in a hybrid format.
On Sunday, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 497 and remained in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
According to a December 13 circular, government, government-aided and unaided recognized private schools under the Directorate of Education, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board have been instructed to offer both physical and online courses whenever possible till further orders.
The national capital woke up to thick smog today as pollution levels spiked even as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV is in force in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Bawana recorded the highest AQI of 497 at 7 am, placing it in the “severe” category. Narela records an AQI of 492 and Okhla Phase 2 records an AQI of 474. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest AQI of 411, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
In an official order, the government ordered that all administrative secretaries and heads of departments attend office regularly, with no more than 50 percent of the staff physically present.
Here is what the order said
“The remaining 50 percent of the staff will work from home provided that the Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments may call officers/officials to the office as required to ensure uninterrupted provision of essential and emergency public services,” the order said.
Similarly, the ordinance stipulated that all private offices operating in Delhi will function in such a way that not more than 50 percent of the employees are physically absent from the workplace.
“The remaining employees will be required to work from home,” he added.
The regulation also called on all private entities to implement staggered working hours where possible.
In addition, private offices have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to telecommuting norms and minimize vehicular movement associated with commuting to the office.
“Hospitals and other public/private health facilities, fire services, prisons, public transport, electricity, water, sanitation and related utilities, disaster management and related services, forest and environmental departments/agencies engaged in air pollution control, monitoring and enforcement activities (such as teams deployed to curb biomass burning, dust, GRAP measures, etc.) and other necessary/mandated regulations shall be exempted from these instructions.
Earlier, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had introduced Phase III measures under GRAP, which included shifting classes to Class V to hybrid format and halting construction and demolition activities as pollution levels in Delhi-NCR spiked due to adverse weather conditions.
(With input from agencies)
