The government has taken several measures to ensure maximum use of electricity in priority sectors, including agriculture and various other industries, amid the ongoing power crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The government has instructed all government, semi-government and autonomous offices to use maximum daylight in daily work. Office hours will now run from 8am to 3pm, and banking hours from 9am to 4pm.
The new office hours will be effective from tomorrow.
Furthermore, educational institutions will be closed twice a week, on Friday and Saturday, to reduce the pressure on the electrical grid.
The new energy conservation measures were decided during the weekly cabinet meeting virtually chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday. Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting at the Secretariat.
In addition to the rescheduling of office and school timings, the Cabinet decided to ensure uninterrupted electricity in rural areas from 11pm to 6am for the next 10-15 days to help farmers irrigate their crops and cultivate Aman paddy.
“Offices have been advised to keep curtains open and use sunlight whenever possible, and to use air conditioning and electric lights less during office hours,” the cabinet secretary said.
He added that the change in office timings would have the added benefit of improving traffic distribution on roads.
The change in office timings will remain in effect until further notice.
Why these directives?
Bangladesh’s energy sector has been facing problems due to the Russia-Ukraine war, like most other countries of the world. In order to deal with the crisis, the government has introduced load-shedding again, increased fuel oil prices, and taken several initiatives to reduce electricity consumption.
The first set of austerity measures was introduced following a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office on July 7. The meeting directed a reduction in AC usage, avoidance of excessive lights, and an end to social and cultural programs by 7pm, among other measures.
When asked why the additional measures were being introduced, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said yesterday: “Office timings have been changed temporarily for the benefit of paddy cultivation. In this season, paddy depends on irrigation and sunlight. There is usually plenty of rain, but rainfall has decreased a lot this year so farmers will need to use water pumps for irrigation.”
He reiterated that many other countries have also introduced similar measures to deal with the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the effects of climate change.
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“Europe is struggling with drought. We do not want our crops to suffer,” Mahmud added.
Senior Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told Dhaka Tribune: “ The new decisions have been taken to ensure best use of electricity in agriculture and industry. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants everyone to use electricity in a wise manner . No need to close curtains in daytime, no need for some unnecessary shops to stay open after 7pm.”
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said two fertilizer industries that have resumed operation will continue to run, as the Cabinet does not wish to hamper important sectors.
City Corporations will also take energy conservation initiatives
Amid the global power crisis, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has taken the initiative to close all kitchen markets, restaurants, and business establishments by 10pm from September 1.
Like the DSCC, other city corporations of the country will also take measures to save on electricity soon, according to a source at the Local Government Ministry.
However, a notification published by DSCC yesterday said food deliveries would be allowed until 11am.
Besides, pharmacies are allowed to remain open until 12 midnight, and stores attached to hospitals can remain open till 2am.
The notification also mentioned that all kinds of shops and markets have to close by 8pm, while movie theatres can operate till 11pm.
