Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday clarified that the state has no plans to impose a lockdown, even as it adopts measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption through a hybrid work arrangement in government offices.
The clarification came after the state government on Wednesday directed heads of departments to allow 50 percent of Group C and D employees to work from home with immediate effect, as part of efforts to cut down on fuel usage. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity and reduced fuel consumption in view of global supply chain disruptions linked to international developments.
Addressing concerns over speculation of stricter restrictions, the Chief Minister said there is no proposal for a lockdown in the state. He reiterated that the current measures are precautionary in nature and are intended solely to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption while ensuring smooth functioning of government services.
Manik Saha noted that the hybrid work model is a practical response to the present situation and expressed confidence that people of Tripura would respond positively to the Prime Minister’s call, similar to the collective efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the initiative is focused on balancing administrative efficiency with responsible resource management rather than imposing any curbs on public movement or economic activity.
