Taking note of the Prime Minister’s appeal to effect work from home (WFH) and reduce non-essential travel, companies are taking stock of existing work options. Executives at over a dozen firms, including conglomerates, consulting firms and financial services firms, told ET that they are monitoring the situation closely and may bring in more remote working options for employees in coming days and reduce domestic and international travel where possible
“The announcement is being evaluated, and will be addressed suitably - keeping people, business and client commitments in mind," said a spokesperson for KPMG in India. The firm is already following a hybrid work policy.
Other firms like Deloitte, EY, RPG, Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz India that also have hybrid working models in place, will continue to follow the same, their spokesperson.
Following the Prime Minister’s appeal, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari advocated greater use of public transport to conserve petrol and diesel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “The PM appealed on petrol and diesel. This is in the nation’s interest. We should use public transport,” Nitin Gadkari said.
Narendra Modi has called on citizens to revive certain practices that became common during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as work-from-home setups, virtual meetings and limiting unnecessary travel, amid growing global tensions in West Asia that could impact fuel prices and supply chains.
“We must prioritise work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings again,” he said. The Prime Minister connected the appeal to concerns surrounding India’s energy security and increasing pressure on imported petroleum products due to the evolving global situation.
Key Highlights From PM Modi’s Appeal Amid Rising Global Tensions
1. Work-from-home and virtual meetings back in focus amid fuel concernsNarendra Modi urged offices and businesses to once again adopt Covid-era work practices in the “national interest,” stressing that work-from-home arrangements should be encouraged wherever possible. He also said online conferences and virtual meetings can help replace unnecessary in-person gatherings, ultimately reducing travel and cutting fuel consumption amid growing energy concerns.
2. PM Urges Citizens To Reduce Fuel Consumption
Narendra Modi also emphasised the importance of conserving fuel, urging people to use petrol and diesel carefully and avoid unnecessary vehicle usage. He stressed that reducing fuel consumption and lowering dependence on imported energy resources would help strengthen India’s energy security amid ongoing global uncertainty.
3. PM Encourages Use Of Public Transport
Narendra Modi advised citizens, especially those living in metro-connected cities, to rely more on public transportation instead of private vehicles. He encouraged greater use of metro services, buses and shared public transport systems as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption and ease pressure on energy resources.
4. PM Advises Against Unnecessary Foreign Travel
Narendra Modi also made a strong appeal to citizens to avoid non-essential international travel amid global uncertainty. He urged people to postpone overseas holidays, limit foreign trips wherever possible and reduce the trend of destination weddings abroad as part of broader efforts to conserve resources and cut unnecessary expenditure on foreign travel.
5. PM Calls For Reduction In Non-Essential Gold Purchases
Narendra Modi also urged citizens to avoid buying non-essential gold for the next one year. He said lowering gold purchases could help ease pressure on imports and support the country’s foreign exchange reserves during a period of global economic uncertainty.
6. PM Encourages Families To Cut Down On Edible Oil Consumption
Narendra Modi also highlighted the need to change household food habits by urging families to reduce their consumption of edible oil. He said lowering edible oil usage would not only improve personal health but also benefit the country economically by helping reduce import dependence.
7. PM Urges Citizens To Prefer Made-In-India Products
Narendra Modi encouraged people to give preference to locally manufactured goods in their everyday lives. He specifically urged citizens to buy Made-in-India products such as shoes, bags, accessories and other daily-use items to support domestic industries and strengthen the country’s economy.
