It was an early start at work on Tuesday for the government employees in Punjab as new office timings came into force. For the next two-and-a-half months, the office timings are 7.30 am to 2 pm instead of the usual 9 am to 5 pm. The new work hours that will remain in force till July 15, are aimed at saving an estimated Rs 40-42 crore in power bills during peak summer. The new timetable does away with the 30-minute lunch break, but the employees will be work an hour less than before. Among the first to reach office was Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who along with his staff arrived at Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh at 7.28 am. “This is a new initiative. Before implementing this decision, we talked to the employees and the people and they agreed (to the decision on the changed timings). After being done with their office work at 2 pm, the staff would be able to attend to their personal obligations,” Mann said. He said the new work hours will ensure that maximum sunlight is utilised in government offices. The CM said Union Coal Minister R K Singh was looking keenly at the change implemented in Punjab and has told him that if the state could succeed with it, it would be replicated in other parts of the country. The government has also changed the school timings and said it would help parents spend more time with their children. “We will save electricity. But we have no shortage of power. We just want to utilise solar energy. We will save 350 MW per day. The government will save Rs 16-17 crore per month, and the state exchequer will save around Rs 42 crore in two-and-a-half months,” Mann said. According to the power department, peak consumption hours are from 1.30 pm to 4 pm, and the new timings will help ease the load during those hours, Mann added. The CM also said they would not impose any power cut on the industry. “There will be no cuts in the domestic sector too. The paddy farmers will also not face any power issues. We will create zones so the farmers get zone-wise supply.” “I hope all government employees in Punjab are on their seats. After 2 pm, it is their family time. Several states are looking at us. They have asked me to tell them the results of this initiative. If it works in Punjab, other states will follow,” he added. Meanwhile, the government employees, from IAS, IPS officers to superintendents and peons, were seen heading to their respective offices at many places in Punjab before the deadline of 7:30 am braving the inclement weather. Cabinet ministers too adhered to the new timeline as they reached their offices before time and posted their pictures on social media. “Good Morning Punjab. Work is worship. Great initiative to change office timings.Small steps will lead to great achievements and unparalleled heights.Lets all work together for this dream," tweeted Aman Arora, the Information and Public Relations Minister. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, said, "As per directions of CM Sir, #TeamPatiala is present in all offices at 7:30am. We are committed to serve our citizens with full zeal of work is worship." While the employees and officials reached Punjab’s civil secretariat as per the new timing, as it was the first day after the changed schedule, there was a very lukewarm response from the public in the early hours. The residents, who wanted their works done, started reaching only after 10am. Officials maintained that the routine may take a few days to pick up and the general public will start visiting the offices in morning hours. There was a mixed reaction from the employees too. While several said the changed timings would help them spend time with their families, several women employees unhappy. “We will have to wake up at 4 am, cook for our families, send children to school and then come to office. This is taxing,” said a woman employee requesting anonymity. The outstation employees too expressed concern over the new timetable with some saying that they would have to wake up at 3 am to make it to office in time. A functionary of the government, however, said, “Some people resist change. If teachers and small children can go to schools early in the morning, why cannot the employees reach office?” He also said that the employees were not supposed to leave the station after work. If they were doing so and finding it difficult to return to work early morning, it was their problem. It would rather be better that they stick to rules by staying put in Chandigarh every evening. Vikas Juneja, president, Deputy Commissioner's Office Employees Union, Ludhiana, said he supported the government's move to save electricity. He said there may be some initial hiccups, but hoped that things will normalise very soon. Ashwani Sahota, chairman, Ludhiana Municipal Employees Sangharsh Union also welcomed the move and said the employees are happy with the change.
