Punjab government has issued instructions to ban the use of air conditioners in all government offices in the state. This will come to effect from today.

Our sources say that the decision was taken by the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to ensure eight-hour uninterrupted power supply to the farm sector for transplantation of paddy crop.

An official spokesman said "The decision has been taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in view of acute shortage of power supply due to increased demand in the agriculture sector and the delayed monsoon,"

However this will be effective only till the end of this month as Punjab government is banking on the monsoon to hit the state by that time, which could ease the power supply demand from the domestic, commercial and farm sectors.

The spokesman also said the ban on the use of air-conditioners could be further extended depending on the power situation in the state.