The much-awaited power hotline for the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) became a reality with its inauguration today. The hotline, which has come up at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore, was inaugurated by Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) chairman H S Brar today.

Brar said: “From today, or rather from this very moment, PAU will face no powercuts. This university is the mother of the green revolution, for it is from here that the phenomenon was executed. Likewise, the PSEB too, played a big role in the Green revolution as we assured electrification of each and every village. Through the canals of the state, we took water for irrigation to the remotest corner of the state.”

PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang said continuous supply of electricity would help strengthen the research activities in the university, which otherwise were hampered on account of disrupted power supply. He termed the day a historic moment as the hotline will go a long way in equipping the university serve the farmers in a better way. Referring to powercuts in the summers, Brar said: “Between March 1 and May, there will be no powercuts. And if the situation remains the way we have planned it, there will be no change throughout summer.’

Throwing a word of caution, however, Brar added: “No powercut means that we conserve power. This can be done by using CFLs and maintaining regular checks to see that we do not waste power. Considering the kind of gadgets that we use in our homes today, our homes too, have become mini-factories.”

“On our part, we have been able to bring down our distribution losses considerably and by this we are saving power worth crores of rupees. People need to realise their responsibilities so that we can help bale out PSEB from its crunch and the state from a power shortage.”