Govt services take first step towards resuming normalcy

Kolkata: The state government resolved normalcy in administration on Tuesday with skeletal staff in all departments, directorates and other establishments.

Thermal checking of each staff was carried out when they entered Nabanna and other establishments of the state government.

An official has been posted at each entry point of the state secretariat with a thermal gun. Another person has also been deputed to ensure that no one enters the premises without sanitising their hands and it has also been ensured that all officials put on masks.

All departments have ensured that minimum number of staff is engaged to start functioning of the state administration. The state government has allowed each department to prepare their respective rosters by engaging 25 percent of the existing strength of Group C staff and below. Officers of deputy secretary rank and above are to come on alternate days.

A senior officer posted at Nabanna said that for the time being, they have not directed any staff of Group C level and below to attend office. "But it is not that they are not willing to come to office. Many of them have contacted us expressing their willingness to join. But it is our endeavour to carry on the work with minimum workforce required," the officer said.

However, there are quite a number of departments, directorates and establishments where staff of Group C and below have been engaged and most of them are from in and around Kolkata.

An employee said: "I am happy joining office after 27 long days. We are following all necessary precautionary measures while attending office."

Another employee, who did not want to be named, said: "We are trying to execute the work as much as possible with skeletal staff. Tomorrow another set of employees will be attending office."

All cars used to provide transport to the employees were sanitised to ensure their safety.

Officials in the district level are now busy in carrying out work to extend support to people amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Resumption of the work of MGNREGA scheme, Banglar Abas Yojana and Gramin Sadak Yojana with skeletal workforce has come as an immense help in the rural parts of the state.

Meanwhile, there was turnout of 5 percent of the total employees at the IT and ITeS sector at Salt Lake Sector V and Rajarhat though the state government permitted turnout of 25 percent of the existing strength.

It happened as the IT and ITeS companies preferred to maintain social distancing and there is already a setup in which people are working from home. The companies are not looking to change the setup right at this moment.