Without using AC, lights, JS body on power, energy holds meeting

A meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources was held today (July 19, 2022) without using air conditioning or even a single electric light.

"The standing committee meeting was held today by turning off all electric lights and air conditioning in the cabinet chamber of the parliament building," Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Awami League MP from reserved seat for women told The Daily Star.

"It was done keeping in mind the issue of energy saving in the current global circumstances," added Waseqa, who presided over the meeting. 

Despite having power in the middle of the summer, this was the first time in history that any parliamentary body held a meeting without air conditioning and lighting, according to sources at the parliament secretariat.

Waseqa stated that the majority of the attendees and members did not face any problems without the air conditioning and the daylight outside was also sufficient for them to conduct the meeting.

The activities of the Chief Electric Inspector (CEI) and its role in the overall power management of the country were discussed in the meeting.

The parliamentary body also recommended conducting an energy audit on different government buildings to identify the energy efficiency of those structures.

Waseqa told this correspondent that initially, the parliamentary watchdog recommended conducting an energy audit on a government building that consumes a significant amount of power due to having air conditioning.

"The power division with the assistance of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority was asked to conduct the audit," she said, adding that "After getting the audit report, we will determine the next course of action in this regard."

All the government buildings should turn into energy-efficient structures to save power and the environment, she added.