Punjab govt replaces lamps with CFLs for saving power

Chandigarh, May 23 (UNI) To save up to 150 MWs of additional power in Punjab, the punjab government has decided to replace traditional incandescent lamps with energy saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in all government buildings and offices.

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

He asked the state chief secretary to issue detailed instructions to all concerned to make the use of CFLs mandatory in offices to save energy.

People should be made aware about the usage of CFLs through publicity campaign in the form of advertisements in print and electronic media, he pointed out.

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 aims to save 100-110 MW power in the agriculture sector with the installation of CFLs.

Expressing concern over power theft in the state, Mr Badal asked the PSEB Chairman to take tough measures to check this menace and asked him to submit a self-contained proposal for setting up a special police station to deal with power theft.

He also directed the chairman to replicate the Gujarat model to minimise 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 present at 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