Avoid official transport for personal purpose: Ministry

The water resources ministry has asked its officials to refrain from using official vehicles for personal purposes and to leave offices by 5:00pm.

While at the office, they must run the air conditioners (ACs) at a minimum temperature of 26°C, said a press release on Wednesday.

According to the release, the initiative was taken on an emergency basis to save 50 per cent electricity at the ministry and its subordinate offices.

The decision came at a meeting called to determine ways of saving electricity and fuel at the Pani Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday.

The directives also include that the officials are allowed to run the ACs for one hour after every two hours while the minimum temperature for the central AC has been set at 26°C. All lights must be switched off at the corridors inside the Pani Bhaban and utilization of sunlight must be ensured.

All elevators, except for three, will remain closed at the building while use of electric kettle and microwave oven will be prohibited.

Apart from these, the ministry encouraged the officials to share vehicles with other colleagues and refrain from using official transport during individual site visits. The training courses should be decreased and the meetings should be held virtually.

All these directives will come into effect at the Pani Bhaban in the capital. The ministry also asked the officials to remain careful of containing waste of power.