Supreme Court Implements Virtual Hearings and Work-from-Home Policies Amid Austerity Measures
Supreme Court adopts virtual hearing, 2-day WFH, car-pooling after PM Modi's austerity push amid West Asia crisis
Mint
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On May 15, the Supreme Court of India announced that it will conduct hearings via video conference on Mondays and Fridays, as part of austerity measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for reduced expenditures amid the West Asia crisis. Additionally, up to 50% of court staff may work from home for two days each week to optimize resources.
- 01The Supreme Court's decision to hold hearings virtually aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
- 02Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt austerity measures to conserve foreign exchange.
- 03The court's circular mandates that video-conferencing links be sent timely and stable facilities maintained.
- 04Staff working from home must remain reachable by phone and ready to attend the office if needed.
- 05The Registrar has the authority to modify work-from-home arrangements based on the essential nature of tasks.
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On May 15, the Supreme Court of India decided to shift to virtual hearings exclusively on Mondays and Fridays. This decision was made unanimously by the judges in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent call for austerity measures due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The court aims to reduce avoidable expenditures and optimize fuel usage through car-pooling arrangements among judges. A circular issued by the court emphasized the need for timely video-conferencing links and stable technical support to avoid inconveniences during hearings. Furthermore, the court has allowed up to 50% of its staff to work from home for two days each week, ensuring that essential functions remain uninterrupted. Staff members are required to be available by phone and may be called to the office if necessary. The Registrar is tasked with preparing a weekly roster and may adjust work-from-home policies based on the needs of different branches.
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These measures are expected to streamline court operations and reduce costs, which may influence the legal proceedings and accessibility for litigants.
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