Punjab govt buildings to have energy saving fluorescent lamps

Chandigarh, May 23 (UNI) In a move that could result in availability of 150 MWs of additional power in Punjab, the state Government today decided to replace traditional incandescent lamps with the energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in all the government buildings and offices.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today to review the power scenario in the state.

He asked the Chief Secretary to issue detailed instructions to all the concerned to make use of CFLs mandatory in the offices to save energy. He also pointed out that the people should be made aware about the usage of CFLs through publicity campaign in the form of advertisements in the print as well as electronic media.

The Chief Minister also directed the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Chairman Y S Ratra to persuade the agriculture consumers to replace conventional bulbs with CFLs which are a cheaper source of energy. He also asked the PSEB to also persuade industrial and domestic consumers to use CFLs.

The PSEB Chairman informed Mr Badal that the State Government alone would be saving 100 to 110 MW power in the agriculture sector with the installation of CFLs.

Showing deep concern over the theft of power in the state, the Chief Minister asked the PSEB Chairman to take tough measures to check this menace.

He also asked Mr Ratra to submit a self-contained proposal for setting up of a special police station to deal with power theft. He also directed the Chairman to replicate the Gujarat model to minimize the transmission and distribution loses besides checking the pilferage of power through illegal means and even with the connivance of Board officials.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary R I Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister D S Guru, Principal Secretary Power and Irrigation Suresh Kumar and Mr Ratra.

UNI