The Supreme Court today announced a series of fuel conservation measures, including virtual hearings on miscellaneous days, car-pooling by judges and Work From Home (WFH) arrangements for registry staff. The move is in line with the Centre’s broader push to cut fuel consumption amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. In a circular issued by Secretary General Bharat Parashar, the apex court said that matters listed on miscellaneous days — Mondays, Fridays or such other days declared as miscellaneous — as well as matters taken up during partial working days, will now be heard only through video-conferencing until further orders.
The Supreme Court also said that its judges have unanimously resolved to encourage car-pooling arrangements among themselves to ensure optimum utilisation of fuel. In another significant step, the apex court permitted up to 50 per cent staff in each branch or section of the registry to work from home for up to two days a week. The circular clarified that the remaining staff would continue to remain physically present in office to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the court administration. The measures come days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens and institutions to reduce fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary expenditure in view of the economic pressures arising from the prolonged conflict in West Asia.
