Power crisis: Punjab CM directs govt offices to function from 8 am to 2 pm

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 1

With the state reeling under an unprecedented power shortage amid extreme temperatures, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered curtailment in timings of state government offices from Friday, and cutting down of power supply to high energy consuming industries with immediate effect, to save crops and ease the domestic power situation.

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He also appealed to all government offices to make judicious use of electricity in government offices, adding that the situation was dire as the peak demand in the state had touched a whopping 14,500 MW. So far, there is no decision on ban on use of ACs in government offices, which will function from 8 am to 2 pm till further orders, an official spokesperson said after the meeting.

The Chief Minister also urged the agitating Power Department employees to call off their stir, which has aggravated the crisis, with complaints of breakdowns resulting from overloading of feeders and sub-stations not being address promptly.

Reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister constituted a three-member committee, comprising Additional Chief Secretary - Development, CMD – PSPCL and Special Secretary Finance, to resolve the grievances of the agitating employees.

He assured the employees that all their genuine demands will be duly considered for appropriate action.

Pointing out that the farmers were losing precious paddy transplantation time due to the power breakdowns, the Chief Minister made it clear that the agriculture sector needed to be prioritized for uninterrupted power supply.

He reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring regular supply of power at subsidised rates to the state’s Agricultural, Domestic and Industrial consumers.