Prime Minister reduces use of lights and AC in his office to conserve electricity

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has cut the use of lights and air-conditioners in his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat by half in an effort to conserve electricity.

He also urged all ministries and institutions to exercise austerity in electricity consumption.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the premier took the step after arriving at his office at the Secretariat this morning.

“After arriving at his office at 9:10am, the Prime Minister immediately switched off 50 percent of the lights in his room and set the air-conditioning temperature at 25.1 degrees,” he said, adding that maintaining the AC at this level helps reduce electricity use.

Ruman said that during a cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also instructed officials concerned to turn off half of the lights and increase the AC temperature in the cabinet meeting room after entering the chamber.

Building No. 1 of the Secretariat houses the Prime Minister’s Office, along with the Cabinet Division and several other departments under the Prime Minister.

Following the premier’s directive, half of the lights were immediately switched off and the AC temperature adjusted in all rooms of his office, the additional press secretary said.

Tarique Rahman also called on all ministries at the Secretariat, government offices across the country, private buildings, shopping malls, commercial establishments and other institutions to be more careful in their electricity use.

He further urged people to reduce artificial lighting during the daytime and instead make use of natural sunlight by opening curtains and windows in offices and homes.