Pune Civic Body Bans Electric Stoves In All Offices To Cut Rising Power Bills
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Pune, May 21, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ordered an immediate ban on the use of electric stoves in all civic offices following rising electricity bills and complaints of excessive power consumption across municipal departments.
Taking serious note of repeated reports of electricity misuse, PMC Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajit Nair directed all officials and employees to stop using electric stoves with immediate effect. He also warned that disciplinary action would be initiated against officers or staff found responsible for unnecessary or unauthorised electricity consumption.
According to civic officials, complaints received from corporators and citizens pointed towards large-scale wastage of electricity at the PMC headquarters and other municipal offices. Despite existing government guidelines promoting energy conservation, several departments were allegedly using electrical appliances excessively.
The state government’s energy-saving guidelines instruct offices to maximise the use of natural light and avoid unnecessary operation of electrical equipment. Employees are also required to switch off lights, fans, computers, elevators and air-conditioning systems after office hours. Air-conditioners are expected to operate within the prescribed temperature range of 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.
However, PMC inspections reportedly found that electric stoves were being regularly used in multiple departments, contributing significantly to increased electricity expenses in recent months. Officials also observed that fans, air-conditioners and lights often remained switched on even when officers were not present in their offices.
Concerned over the growing wastage of power, the civic administration has now decided to tighten monitoring measures across all departments. Complaints regarding unnecessary electricity usage in officers’ cabins and elected representatives’ offices were brought before Additional Commissioner Nair, prompting the latest directive.
Under the new instructions, every PMC department must appoint an energy coordinator responsible for ensuring that lights, fans, air-conditioners and other electrical equipment are switched off before employees leave the office premises.
The order further states that any officer or employee found violating the instructions or misusing electricity will face disciplinary action under administrative rules.
PMC officials said the move is aimed at promoting energy conservation, reducing unnecessary power usage and controlling the corporation’s increasing electricity expenditure.
