Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday directed the state power department to take adequate measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply at health institutions of the State, especially where quarantine facilities are developed.
Sonowal also commended the service of Power Department officials amid COVID-19 pandemic and directed the department to take steps for sensitization of people regarding the Centre’s advisory on the PM’s call to switch off lights at homes for nine minutes on Sunday.
He was reviewing the overall power situation in the state and the department’s preparedness in view of the PM’s call.
The power department officials informed Sonowal that as per advisory issued by the Centre, people are requested to switch off lights of their homes only and there is no call to switch off street lights or appliances like computers, television sets, fans, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Sonowal further directed the officials to arrange meetings in all districts immediately under the chairmanship of the respective deputy commissioners on Sunday morning and make wide publicity to sensitize people on the Centre’s advisory.
He also asked the field level officials to visit all quarantine facilities and health institutions in consultation with health officials to review provisions for electricity supply at such places.
Sonowal also instructed the department to keep adequate transformers and generators ready besides sensitizing health authorities to keep electricians at hand to deal with any exigency.
APDCL chairman Vinod Kumar Pipersenia, Principal Secretary to CM Sanjay Lohiya and senior officials of the department were present in the meeting.