Sources said the crisis has worsened due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, increasing pressure on fuel supply, and costs.
Officials are discussing several proposals, but a final decision will be taken after consultations with all stakeholders. One key proposal is to introduce a hybrid work system in government offices to save energy.
Under this plan, employees may work three days in the office and two days from home in a five-day week. For offices operating six days a week, a model of four days in the office and two days online is being considered. Authorities are also planning to introduce a 50 percent rota system to reduce transport use and energy consumption.
A monitoring system for online attendance may be introduced, along with a requirement of at least 65 percent attendance. Weekly audits of attendance records are also under consideration. Sources said similar measures could be applied to private offices, with up to 50 percent online work. Strict limits on the use of government vehicles are also part of the plan.
Officials may impose penalties, including fuel recovery for three months and possible vehicle confiscation for violations. The use of shared transport for senior officers is also under consideration. Other energy-saving steps include a ban on using air conditioners before 10:30am.
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The government is also planning to shift 50 percent of its offices to solar energy within 60 days. In addition, markets and shopping centers may be required to close by 9:30pm. Wedding halls could be limited to one dish and 200 guests, with events ending by 10pm.
Economic measures are also being discussed. These include a 50 percent cut in electricity and fuel allowances for employees for three months. There is also a proposal to reduce internet and telephone taxes by 2.5 percent.
At the same time, a 5 percent additional tax on property and vehicle transactions is under consideration. Toll taxes may also increase by Rs50.
To reduce fuel use, the government is considering lowering railway fares to encourage people to travel by train. Officials believe these combined steps could help manage the crisis and reduce pressure on energy resources.
