Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh government Monday decided to advance the clock by an hour from zero hour on June 19 aiming to minimize the prevailing power crisis, officials said.
The decision was made at a cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital, Dhaka with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said.
The clock would go ahead by one hour from midnight following June 19 as per the cabinet decision, since the daylight saving time (DST) is being practiced in different parts of the world, Mr. Azad told reporters after the meeting.
He also said at least 70 countries of the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Denmark, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Iran, the Philippines and Pakistan have been able save power consumption using the DST system.
It was informed in the meeting that in the evening hours, the country’s electricity demand increases to 5,000 to 5,500 Megawatt (MW) and load shedding stands at 800 to 1000 MW during the pick hours every day.
The press secretary also said scope for generating more power within a short time is very little. But the days from March to September are longer than other times of the year. “So, if best use of daylight can be made, the shortage of power can be made up to some extent,” he added.
BBB/SS/SI/AD-02June09-1:35 am (BST)
