Assam Assembly orders staff to switch off lights, fans, ACs in empty rooms
Synopsis
The Assam Legislative Assembly has formally flagged 'considerable wastage of electricity' within its own complex — a rare instance of a legislature turning the conservation lens on itself. The directive, addressed to the Nazarat Branch, orders staff to switch off all appliances in empty rooms, signalling that even India's law-making bodies are under pressure to tighten energy discipline.
Key Takeaways
The Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat issued a directive on 17 July citing 'considerable wastage of electricity' in the Assembly complex.
Staff have been asked to switch off lights, fans, and air conditioners whenever rooms or passages are unoccupied.
The memorandum is addressed to the Additional Secretary and In-charge of the Nazarat Branch for immediate action.
The order notes that unnecessary power use leads to additional expenditure from the public exchequer and violates energy conservation principles.
A copy has been forwarded to the Private Secretary to the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
The Assembly administration is expected to monitor compliance going forward.
The Assam Legislative Assembly has issued a formal directive to its staff to switch off lights, fans, and air conditioners in unoccupied rooms and corridors, citing 'considerable wastage of electricity' within the legislature complex. The order, issued by the Assembly Secretariat in Guwahati on 17 July, calls for immediate corrective action to curb avoidable power consumption at public expense.
What the Directive Says
The memorandum, signed by the Secretary of the Assam Legislative Assembly, has been addressed to the Additional Secretary and In-charge of the Nazarat Branch, directing that suitable instructions be issued to all concerned staff. The order notes that electrical appliances — including fans, lights, and air conditioners — are frequently found running in offices, rooms, and passages even when no one is present.
The communication states that such avoidable consumption 'not only leads to additional expenditure from the public exchequer but also runs contrary to the principles of energy conservation.' A copy has been forwarded to the Private Secretary to the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly for information.
Why the Assembly Acted
The directive reflects a broader push by government institutions across India to enforce energy discipline in public buildings. Officials said the move aims to promote responsible electricity use and encourage staff to adopt simple conservation habits that can collectively reduce the Assembly's power bills and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Notably, the order does not prescribe penalties for non-compliance but calls for 'strict compliance' — leaving enforcement to the Nazarat Branch's discretion. The Assembly administration is expected to monitor adherence to minimise unnecessary power consumption across the complex.
Wider Context
This comes amid growing emphasis by governments and public institutions nationally on energy efficiency and reducing avoidable expenditure through better management of electricity in government offices. Several state legislatures and central ministries have issued similar internal advisories in recent years, though systematic monitoring of outcomes has remained inconsistent.
Whether the Assam Assembly's directive translates into measurable savings will depend on the follow-through by the Nazarat Branch and the willingness of staff to comply with what is, in practice, a routine but frequently ignored conservation measure.
Point of View
But its impact will be limited without a monitoring mechanism — the order calls for 'strict compliance' yet assigns no accountability metric. Across India, similar internal advisories have been issued and quietly forgotten. The real test for the Assam Assembly is whether it publishes before-and-after electricity consumption figures, turning a routine memo into a credible accountability exercise.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the Assam Legislative Assembly directed its staff to do?
The Assam Legislative Assembly has directed staff to switch off all electrical appliances — including lights, fans, and air conditioners — whenever rooms or passages within the Assembly complex are unoccupied. The order was issued by the Assembly Secretariat on 17 July, citing considerable and avoidable electricity wastage.
Why did the Assam Assembly issue this electricity directive?
The directive was issued because electrical appliances were frequently found running in empty offices, rooms, and corridors, leading to unnecessary expenditure from the public exchequer and violation of energy conservation principles. Officials said the move aims to promote responsible energy use within the legislature premises.
Who is responsible for implementing the directive?
The memorandum has been addressed to the Additional Secretary and In-charge of the Nazarat Branch, who has been asked to issue suitable instructions to all concerned staff. A copy was also forwarded to the Private Secretary to the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly for information.
Will there be penalties for staff who do not comply?
The directive calls for 'strict compliance' but does not explicitly prescribe penalties for non-compliance. Enforcement is left to the Nazarat Branch, and the Assembly administration is expected to monitor adherence to the order.
Is this part of a broader government push on energy conservation?
Yes, the directive comes amid a wider national emphasis on energy efficiency in government offices. Several state legislatures and central ministries have issued similar internal advisories in recent years, though consistent monitoring of outcomes has remained a challenge across institutions.
