Jammu, June 6: So this season you may not stay cool at your office premises. The State Finance Department has issued a fresh circular debarring the government offices, albeit with some exceptions, from purchasing Air Conditioners without its permission.
 As per the circular ostensibly aimed to keep tabs on the reckless spending, Finance Department approval has been made mandatory for purchasing any new cooling machine by the offices.
 This apart, the circular envisages a new set of rules limiting the use of ACs to certain category of officers, while asking those not entitled to stop their use.
 The circular reads, “It has come to the notice of finance department that officers at various levels are purchasing and using air conditioners for cooling their office chambers without seeking any sanction from the competent authority and also in absence of specific provision in the budget for the purchase of the same”.
 Officials said that unrestricted use of the air conditioners was also putting huge pressure on the Power Development Department (PDD) as the offices are consumer more electricity than mandated by the rules.
 “At many offices in total disregard to the budgetary provisions, department heads have procured the ACs. Even the funds are being diverted to install these machines”, said an official source.
 Curiously, recently the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) which has fully air conditioned office complex has changed the office timing for the summer months.
 “All other offices work from 8 am to 2 pm during summer here, but JDA has chosen a new timing, 10 am to 4 pm, so that its employees have the soothing environs,” said a source.
 Keeping in view these aspects, the circular says that the entitlement to AC will be only to the officers serving in the summer zone of the state observing morning timing of 8 am to 2 pm and that too from May to September.
 “Government offices are already the major defaulters of the electricity bills and there was pressure from the PDD”, sources said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST