G.O.(MS) No.239, Functioning of Government Offices with Six Day Week, 2020
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department issued G.O.(MS) No.239, dated 15 May 2020, directing State Government offices to adopt a six-day working week and operate with half of their workforce on any given day from 18 May 2020. The arrangement replaced the maximum staffing level of 33 per cent for covered offices, while Police, Health, District Administration, Treasury, Local Bodies and certain other departments continued under the arrangements in G.O.(Ms) No.172, dated 25 March 2020.
What the government order does
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department issued G.O.(MS) No.239, dated 15 May 2020, to regulate the functioning of State Government offices during the COVID-19 lockdown. From 18 May 2020, covered offices were required to work six days a week, including Saturdays, while maintaining half of the workforce in the office on any given day.
The arrangement was intended to support regular government functioning, maintain social distancing and compensate for working hours lost during the lockdown. It was to continue until further orders.
Offices and staff covered
G.O.(MS) No.239 applied across State Government offices from the Secretariat to district and field-level offices. Its coverage included Commissions, Boards, Corporations, Universities, Companies, Institutions and Societies of the State Government.
The following working arrangements were prescribed:
- Saturdays became working days, with existing office timings continuing.
- Offices were to function with 50 per cent of their workforce on any given day.
- Staff were to be divided into two batches working in alternating two-day blocks.
- In the first week, the first batch worked Monday and Tuesday, the second batch Wednesday and Thursday, and the first batch Friday and Saturday.
- In the following week, the second batch worked Monday and Tuesday, the first batch Wednesday and Thursday, and the second batch Friday and Saturday.
- Staff on off-duty days had to attend if called.
- All officers and staff had to remain available for official work and accessible through electronic communication.
Senior officers and file processing
G.O.(MS) No.239 required all Group A officers in the specified pay levels, and all Heads of Offices regardless of pay level, to attend on every working day. Heads of Departments could introduce level-jumping in the file submission hierarchy where necessary to support office functioning.
Offices following separate arrangements
Police, Health, District Administration, Treasury and Local Bodies were directed to continue functioning under G.O.(Ms) No.172 of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 25 March 2020. Necessary bus transport arrangements were also to be made.
Relevance to land and revenue services
G.O.(MS) No.239 did not change land rights, ownership records or property procedures. It affected how covered government offices were staffed and scheduled, which could influence public access to revenue and other government services during the period in which the arrangement remained in force.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Did G.O.(MS) No.239 change any land ownership or registration rules?
No land ownership, registration or property rule changes are stated. G.O.(MS) No.239 concerns staffing and working days in State Government offices during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Were government offices open on Saturdays under G.O.(MS) No.239?
Yes. From 18 May 2020, covered offices followed a six-day working week that included Saturdays, using the existing office timings.
Would the full government office workforce attend every day?
No. Covered offices were to operate with 50 per cent of the workforce on a given day through alternating batches. Group A officers in the specified pay levels and all Heads of Offices had to attend on every working day.
Did the same staffing arrangement apply to District Administration and Local Bodies?
No. District Administration and Local Bodies, along with Police, Health and Treasury, were directed to continue under G.O.(Ms) No.172, dated 25 March 2020.
