This state is likely to roll back 5-day work week in government offices

A move to scrap the five-day work week in government offices has ignited a political row and triggered sharp reactions from employees, with the ruling BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh indicating that a policy reversal may be imminent.

The five-day week - implemented in February 2022 by the previous Congress government under then-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel - was aimed at promoting work-life balance and improving administrative efficiency. Under the policy, government staff worked longer hours across five days, with Saturdays and Sundays off.

However, current Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has now signalled a rollback of the system. Speaking to the media, Sai said the government was reviewing feedback from senior officers, many of whom believe the two-day weekend is hindering productivity and slowing down the pace of governance.

"Even officials have said that two-day holidays are not helping them. They feel time is wasted and work is piling up, especially due to TL (time-limit) meetings on Tuesdays. Many employees also leave early by Friday afternoon, which slows down government functioning," the Chief Minister said.

The statement has drawn a sharp political response from the Congress party, which accused the BJP of dismantling progressive reform. "The CM's statement will create friction among employees. If he's so against the five-day week, let him write to the central government to revoke their similar policy too. Why reverse a decision that has improved work culture?" said Congress spokesperson and media cell chief Sushil Anand Shukla.

Employee unions have also strongly objected to the proposal. Union leaders described the potential rollback as regressive, warning of protests if the decision is implemented without proper dialogue.

"Those advising the Chief Minister must be frustrated individuals. The five-day work week gave us time to rest and recharge, and improved our efficiency," one union leader said.

The government, however, maintains that essential public services are being affected by the current setup. Officials claim that early Friday departures, paired with weekend closures, are leading to delays in administrative work and bottlenecks in service delivery.

The debate comes at a sensitive time, as Chhattisgarh has crossed 100 active COVID-19 cases once again, prompting renewed health alerts. With questions being raised about the readiness and efficiency of the state's administrative machinery, the timing of this policy reconsideration has further intensified scrutiny.

Tune In