By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : The Punjab government Monday implemented its decision to open and close its offices early to conserve energy. The initiative got a mixed response with some employees welcoming the move, while others cribbed about having to wake up early.
On the recommendation of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), the government had ordered Saturday that all the government offices, boards and corporations will function from 7.30 a.m. till 1.30 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. till the monsoon arrives and the power crisis eases.
“I am happy that today I have returned home early otherwise it had become really difficult to sit in the office during afternoon when there is no electricity,” Neelam Sharma, an employee of the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), told IANS.
“Although most of the employees came on time but at the same time there were some who reached on their normal timing at around 10 a.m. This is the first day that is why we did not take any action but from tomorrow onwards no laxity would be tolerated,” said a senior PUDA official, requesting not to be named.
The government has already banned the use of air-conditioners in government offices and ordered early closure of shops and malls.
“It is very difficult to reach office at 7.30 a.m. Usually there is no electricity for most of the time in the night then how can they expect us to wake early in the morning,” said Harsh Mahajan, a government employee in Jalandhar, around 150 km from here.
However, PSEB employees are happy with the decision and expecting good days ahead.
“This decision of Punjab government has already shown good results and today PSEB has got a big relief. There has been a saving of around 15 to 20 per cent of power as compared to normal working days, due to early closure of offices,” Ranjeet Singh, power controller of PSEB in Patiala, some 50 kilometers from here, told IANS on phone.
“Normally, the maximum load is in the afternoon so it is really apt to close offices early in the backdrop of delayed monsoon and acute power shortage. Hopefully, now PSEB can reduce the duration of power cuts in the state,” he added.