Only five central government ministries and departments, out of nearly 90 in Delhi, have claimed funds from the Centre to set up gymnasiums.
Under the policy, ministries with up to 1,000 employees must provide at least 500 square feet, while those with more staff should make double that space available.
This was what the Centre desired a year ago when it asked all ministries to open gymnasiums in their premises to keep government babus healthy, stress-free and improve their productivity. The ministries, though, do not seem game for it.
Only five central government ministries and departments, out of nearly 90 in Delhi, have claimed funds from the Centre to set up gymnasiums. Last week, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions wrote to all ministries that the funds under the scheme were "still available" and that they could claim it by October 6.
Only the departments of personnel and training (DoPT), industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), food and public distribution, as well as the Ministry of Culture and the Defence Research and Development Organisation have claimed the funds, according to documents seen by ET. While the DoPT, culture ministry and the Department of Food and Public Distribution claimed Rs 5 lakh each to set up gyms, the DRDO took Rs 4.9 lakh and DIPP, Rs 10 lakh.
The main hitch, officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, was the paucity of space at ministries. Under the policy, ministries with up to 1,000 employees must provide at least 500 square feet, while those with more staff should make double that space available. They can draw Rs 5-10 lakh to set up a gym.
"Convincing ministries to free up the already scarce office space for a gym is a big task," a senior official told ET. At the Ministry of Personnel — it coordinates recruitment, training, career movement and welfare schemes of government employees — a committee goes over all proposals with a fine-tooth comb. The ministry did not reveal how many proposals it has got since the scheme was unveiled last September, but admitted that space was an issue. "Also, the grant is only to buy gym machines. The ministries have to set up the rest of infrastructure. The policy also prescribes having an open-air outdoor gym if space is available," an official said.
The policy specifies the amount that can be spent on gym equipment — Rs 1 lakh for a treadmill, Rs 90,000 for a recumbent bike, Rs 70,000 for a cross trainer, Rs 1.5 lakh for a 4-station multi gym, Rs 60,000 for a flat, inclined and decline benches, Rs 40,000 for dumbbell sets and Rs 10,000 for a hydraulic stepper.
"With increased involvement of government in various activities for benefit of the people, the workload of government employees has increased manifold. Their sedentary behaviour can have many detrimental effects including an increased likelihood of developing illnesses," the government policy states. According to it, a gymnasium at workplace will make it easier for employees to find time to exercise and improve their health and well-being, which can have "a significant impact on increased productivity".
"Constant work stress and frustration can lower productivity, so giving employees a convenient means through fitness programmes such as gym would result in decreased absenteeism and reduced usage of sick leave etc., which is beneficial to the employees and the employer," the policy says. "Healthy employees are happy employees" and a "positive and energetic workforce" collaborates better, it adds. The grant of Rs 5-10 lakh is provisioned for as spending on staff welfare.
"The use of gym facilities may be allowed after office hours," the policy says. Gym premises must have proper ventilation and lighting, fans or ACs, it specifies, while stressing also on the need to have sufficient and able instructors at the gyms. Ministries were asked to have a separate time slot in gym exclusively for women. "We hope for a better response after our recent reminder," an official at the Ministry of Personnel said.