Sikkim & Tripura Govts Enforce Work From Home, Fuel Cuts Over West Asia Crisis

The Government of Sikkim, through the Home Department, has issued a notification announcing a series of austerity measures and resource conservation measures with effect from May 18, 2026.

This decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide appeal to reduce petroleum consumption amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

According to the announcement, the new guidelines include a 50% reduction in the Chief Minister's vehicle convoy and a shift to a five-day work week for government offices.

To further streamline resources, the state has directed work-from-home arrangements for 50% of its workforce on a roster basis and imposed a 30% cut in fuel allotments for official vehicles.

Additional restrictions include a one-year ban on purchasing new government vehicles, excluding those for police and emergency services and the suspension of official foreign travel unless required for medical emergencies.

What Austerity Measures Has Sikkim Announced to Cut Government Expenditure and Fuel Use?

The state is also extending the odd-even vehicle rule to all districts and prohibiting the use of government vehicles on weekends.

According to the notification, these interim steps are being implemented in the larger public interest to ensure public security and the efficient utilisation of state assets, while encouraging officials to prioritise virtual meetings and public transport.

In a move to reduce government expenditure, the Sikkim administration has decided to cut the Chief Minister's vehicle carcade by half and reduce fuel allotments for all state officials by 30%.

Meanwhile, the Government of Tripura has issued a new memorandum announcing austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditure and conserving fuel.

How Will Tripura's Weekly Duty Roster System Regulate Work From Home and Office Attendance?

According to the memorandum, all Heads of Department (HoDs) have been directed to ensure that only 50 per cent of Group C and Group D employees attend office daily, while the remaining employees will work from home.

Departments have also been instructed to prepare weekly duty rosters, allowing employees to attend the office on alternate weeks. The preference in the first week is to be given to staff residing close to their workplaces.

The order further states that employees working from home must remain available through telephone and electronic communication at all times and should report to the office whenever required for urgent work.

The memorandum has come into effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders are issued by the government.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption by adopting public transport, electric buses, and carpooling.

Furthermore, he encouraged working from home and reducing gold purchases to help lower India's import burden.

(With inputs from ANI)