On power saving drive,DC may ask markets to close by 8 pm

PSEB officers,however,said that the DC should first ensure that air-conditioners in government offices are not operated following the orders of the Punjab government before issuing other instructions.

Though the industry has been raising a hue and cry regarding long power cuts and compulsory weekly offs,members of the All India Industry Trade and Forum with 36 associations,announced that they would use only one AC in their house and use power judiciously in their houses and offices.

“I appeal to all consumers to switch off lights and fans whenever they leave a room and contribute to saving electricity,” said Vinod Thaper,president of Knitwear club.

Thaper and industrialist Rajnish Ahuja claimed that they were not using ACs in their houses at night.

NGO Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena,meanwhile,took out a march in Shivpuri area on Friday and appealed to all residents to use electricity and water judiciously. They also submitted a memorandum to the DC to issue notification to shut down markets and malls early. It was suggested that the Municipal Corporation too needed to learn lessons in saving power and switch off signboards when not needed and streetlights in the morning.