To tackle the ongoing energy crisis and cut down on government expenditure, the Tripura government has launched a unique attendance policy. On Monday, May 13, 2026, the General Administration (Administrative Reforms) Department issued a formal memorandum regarding this change.
Under the new guidelines, Group C and Group D employees across all state departments are now required to maintain only 50% physical attendance. The remaining staff will operate from home. This decision stems directly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Austerity Measures’ in response to the fuel supply crisis triggered by conflict in Western Asia.
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New Roster System and Attendance Guidelines
Following Memo No. F.1(10)/GA(AR)/2026/255, Heads of Departments (HoDs) have been instructed to draft weekly duty rosters. Key aspects of the new policy include:
- Only 50% of the workforce will be physically present in offices daily.
- Staff will rotate on an alternate-week basis.
- Preference for office attendance is currently given to employees living closer to their workplace.
- Those working remotely must remain reachable via phone and internet at all times during duty hours.
It is mandatory for staff working from home to report to their respective offices immediately if summoned for urgent or critical administrative tasks.
Why These Austerity Measures?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged citizens to curb petroleum consumption by shifting to public transport, using electric vehicles, and prioritizing virtual meetings or work-from-home arrangements. To counter the impact of rising global crude oil prices and supply chain disruptions, the administration under Chief Minister Manik Saha has moved to implement these strict fuel-saving protocols.
While state departments, PSUs, and autonomous bodies have been advised to follow this pattern, the order does not apply to essential services like healthcare, power, and fire fighting.
Impact on Government Employees
This initiative serves as a welcome relief for staff regarding travel expenses and daily commuting time. However, it is essential to remember that this is not a leave policy; employees must remain responsive to office calls and emails throughout their working hours.
Given that Tripura has already implemented fuel rationing—limiting two-wheelers to Rs. 200 worth of fuel per day—this rotational work system is a strategic effort to reduce traffic congestion and minimize fuel dependency across the state.
