UP power crisis: All shops, malls to shut down by 7pm

Lucknow, Jun 18: In a bid to address

in Uttar Pradesh, the timings of opening and closing of malls, shops and restaurants have been revised by the labour department, an official spokesman said.

"For the next 15 days all shops and malls in the state, excluding medical stores, will open at 11 am and close at 7 pm," he said.

Similarly, all restaurants would operate between 11 am and 10 pm, the spokesman said. He said the decision has been taken by the state government keeping in view problem of power supply during the summer season. The decision would be applicable with immediate effect and stern action would be taken against violators.

The spokesman said the decision would provide relief to the people and the farmers from power crisis to an extent.

The UP Power Corporation Limited has already imposed ban on use of power for decorative lighting and hoardings after 8.30 pm.

Meanwhile, at a meeting to review the power situation, UPPCL chairman Avnish Awasthi said that it was decided that steel furnace and rolling mills, which consume heavy power, would remain closed till further orders. He said use of hoardings, glow signs and decorative lights would not be allowed till further order and in case any establishment was found violating the order, its connection would be snapped.

Streetlights of the municipal corporation would be switched on at 8 pm and switched off at 4.30 am.

PTI