Tripura has announced a five-day work week for government offices and expanded use of virtual meetings as part of measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption amid rising global crude oil prices. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Manik Saha. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Cabinet spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury said all Saturdays and Sundays would now be observed as government holidays. Under the new arrangement, government offices across the state will function from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. Earlier, only the second and fourth Saturdays were official holidays. Chowdhury said the move was aimed at reducing fuel consumption and improving administrative efficiency in view of the international situation affecting fuel prices.
The state government has also decided that 75 per cent of official meetings will now be conducted through virtual platforms to minimise travel and reduce fuel usage. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also issued directives on fuel conservation, and Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has instructed departments to reduce fuel consumption wherever possible,” Chowdhury said. He added that the government would encourage limited use of official vehicles and gradually promote procurement and outsourcing of electric vehicles. The state also plans to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure by setting up additional charging stations. Along with the administrative changes, the Tripura cabinet approved the filling up of 81 vacant posts across multiple departments. Among them are 26 vacant posts of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) under the Public Works Department (PWD), which will be filled through the Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT). Three of these posts have been reserved for ex-servicemen.
The cabinet also approved direct recruitment for 50 Group C posts under the Information and Cultural Affairs Department. The vacancies include posts such as translator, reporter, script writer, cultural assistant, folk artist, assistant photographer, assistant librarian and LDC. In addition, five posts of Inspectors of Small Savings under the Finance Department will also be filled, the minister said.
