AS PER the directives issued by the Uttar Pradesh Government, the district administration has taken up several austerity measures to tackle the ongoing power crisis in the city, including directions to Government offices not to use air conditioners and changing the timings of business establishments.
District Magistrate Amrit Abhijat has ordered that the markets and shops should be closed by 8 pm before the normal schedule to save electricity during peak hours. Neon signs and glow sign boards would not be allowed to use for two months. Street-lights would be lighted from 7 pm instead of 6 pm and lights in parks would be switched off at 11 pm. Besides, the people have been urged to prevent misuse of electricity in their houses through not using at least two bulbs between 7 pm and 10 pm.
However, the order is yet to be implemented effectively because in Civil Lines, Chowk and Katra majority of shops remain open beyond the timings fixed by the district administration. Letters have been sent by the District Magistrate to the Municipal Commissioner, ADM (Civil Supply) and the secretary Allahabad Development Authority to implement the decision taken by the government regarding conserving power in the city.
Divisional Commissioner Dr Lalit Verma has directed the power department officers to ensure attending the local faults within time limit and if possible the control rooms set up in view of power crisis would work round the clock.
{{/usCountry}}Divisional Commissioner Dr Lalit Verma has directed the power department officers to ensure attending the local faults within time limit and if possible the control rooms set up in view of power crisis would work round the clock.
{{/usCountry}}However, there was no let up in the crisis as power rostering continued in the city. Harried residents and traders on Sunday blocked the national highway to draw attention of government towards the electricity woes. The protesters were agitated with the ruling state-government for ordering early closure of shops and commercial establishments to meet shortage of power in the state. They said that instead of providing electricity, the state government was ordering the traders to shut down their shops at 8 pm.
The protesters also burnt an effigy of chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for ordering further cuts in an already power-starved state.