HYDERABAD: Faced with a deepening power crisis, the Government on Wednesday imposed a ban till March 1 on use of air-conditioners, refrigerators and extra lighting in all its offices in the State to save energy for agriculture pumpsets.

The ban will also apply to the ACs in the offices of the public sector undertakings, corporations, civic bodies and other statutory and non-statutory bodies.

Switching off

The offices have been asked to switch off lights in corridors, staircases and porticos. Use of even electric kettle in offices for making tea or coffee has also been prohibited and restrictions imposed on the duration of street-lighting.

The ban order was issued after Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy reviewed power supply situation here on Wednesday when he said such restrictions were essential since the demand was likely to reach an unprecedented level during the rabi season.

Hospitals exempted

The offices have been asked to restrict use of lifts only to the peak hours. During the rest of the period, 50 per cent of the lifts could be stopped.

However, hospitals, scientific laboratories, manufacturing/ processing units, central computer server/ processors room which all require controlled environment, have been exempted from the ban.

Those in charge of water pumping have been required to switch off the pump once three-fourths of an overhead tank is filled.

Illuminated signboards and decorative displays have also been prohibited in camp offices and guesthouses.

Implementation

Voluntary energy observers designated by the Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh would oversee the implementation of the ban along with two similar observers to be appointed for each area by the district Collector.

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