From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 8: With mercury level shooting up all over Karnataka during the summer months, the plight of the people of Northern Karnataka is unbearable with temperatures during daytime climbing to 40 degree celcius and even above on some days.

With a view to provide relief the people of Northern Karnataka from the excessive heat, the State Government has issued an order to change office hours of its employees in eight districts in in the region during April and May months.

The new timings for employees in eight districts – Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari of Kalaburagi division and Vijayapura and Bagalkot of Belagavi division – have been changed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).

As per the government order, the New office hours are 8 am to 1.30 pm in April and May against the normal timings of 10 am to 5.30 pm.

The State Government has been changing the office timings in these districts during summer since 1995-96.

However, if elections to Gram Panchayats are declared in May, then normal office hours would continue, said the order.

Incidentally, temperatures during the summer months have been shooting up in coastal Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and other districts as well.