The Rajasthan government is planning to reduce the number of working days for non-emergency departments as part of a broader austerity and resource conservation initiative being shaped by the administration of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Proposed Shift to Four-Day Workweek
According to sources, the government is developing a structured plan to gradually transition selected departments from the existing five-day workweek to a four-day workweek model. This move is aimed at reducing government expenditure, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions while maintaining administrative efficiency.
Monitoring Other States
A government source said Rajasthan is closely monitoring similar experiments in other states before making a final decision on implementation. “The state is waiting to see how other states implement the four-day workweek model before rolling it out here,” the source said.
Potential Benefits
Officials believe the four-day workweek could reduce daily commuting by nearly 20%, resulting in significant savings in fuel consumption for both government vehicles and private transport. The move is also expected to lower electricity consumption in government offices by reducing the use of lighting, air conditioning, and office equipment for one additional day every week.
Part of Larger Austerity Measures
Sources said the proposal is part of Rajasthan’s larger austerity and conservation measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seven-point public appeal issued on May 10, urging citizens and institutions to conserve fuel and resources amid rising global energy prices and economic uncertainty.
Government sources confirmed that district administrations have been instructed to actively implement measures aligned with the Prime Minister’s appeal. “The local administration has been asked to ensure these measures are implemented in campaign mode, including fuel conservation, carpooling, use of public transport and reduction of unnecessary travel,” a senior official said.
Existing Austerity Initiatives
The Rajasthan government has already initiated several austerity measures, including reducing the size of ministers’ and senior officials’ convoys, limiting non-essential travel, promoting video conferencing for official meetings, and encouraging carpooling among government officials. These steps reflect the state’s commitment to resource conservation and operational efficiency.
