Online hearings, work from home for staff: Chhattisgarh HC brings austerity measures for vacation

The Chhattisgarh High Court has introduced a set of measures during the ongoing summer vacation, including virtual hearing of cases, work-from-home for staff and carpooling arrangements, aimed at better resource utilisation and smooth functioning of judicial work, officials said on Wednesday.

The directions were issued by the Chhattisgarh HC Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, in view of guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India for the period of summer vacation 2026, a circular issued by Registrar General Rajneesh Shrivastava on Tuesday said.

The summer vacation in the Chhattisgarh HC commenced on May 18 and will continue till June 15, officials said.

As per the circular, hearings of cases in the high court will primarily be conducted through video-conferencing during the summer vacation period.

However, advocates who are unable to participate virtually due to unavoidable reasons will be permitted to appear physically before the courts. The courts may also direct physical hearing in any matter if deemed necessary, it said.

Section in-charges and heads of offices in the high court and district judiciary have been requested to allow staff to work from home for up to two days a week, but also ensure that at least 50 per cent of the workforce remains present in office. Employees permitted to work remotely will have to remain available on telephone and report to the office whenever required, the circular added.

In a bid to save fuel, judicial and ministerial officers of the high court as well as district judiciary have been advised to share official vehicles under a carpooling arrangement, it said.

The Registrar (Judicial) and Registrar (Computerisation) have been directed to ensure compliance regarding video-conferencing arrangements whenever required, the circular said.

The high court said the implementation of these measures beyond the summer vacation period would be reviewed later based on prevailing circumstances.

The move comes amid a broader push for austerity measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for restraint in government expenditure during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

On May 16, The Chhattisgarh government rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.

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