NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday directed 50 per cent of the workforce in his departments to work from home amid worsening air quality in the nation capital, news agency PTI reported citing official sourcesUnder the Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan, the Commission for Air Quality Management has asked the Delhi government and other NCR state governments s to consider allowing public, municipal and private offices to operate with 50 per cent staff strength, with the remaining employees working from home.“Going by CAQM guidelines on air quality, heads of departments are free to take decisions regarding allowing work from home. Essential services will not be covered in this,” a government official said.Transport minister Pankaj Singh has also directed departments under his charge, including health and family welfare and information technology, to adopt work-from-home arrangements.According to the PTI report, the Centre is also likely to allow its employees to work from home under the revised GRAP schedule.Delhi’s air quality remained in the very poor category on Friday, with the AQI recorded at 373 at 4 pm. A thick blanket of smog enveloped the city, reducing visibility and leaving many residents complaining of breathing difficulties.