BCI demands return to standard time from DST
Friday, 11 December 2009
FE Report
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) urged the government to revert to the country's previous standard time from the ongoing day-light saving time (DST), considering the problems the people have to face due to this changed time.
The demand came in a meeting of the BCI board of directors Wednesday.
"The government should switch back to the previous standard time as early as possible," said BCI president Shahedul Islam Helal. When the government introduced DST, it was stated that the new time would remain in force for a certain period, he said.
The BCI president pointed out that in Bangladesh where there is an acute shortage of power, DST would not be much effective in reducing power consumption.
The school-goers, their guardians and the industrial workers of first shift are compelled to wake up much before the sunrise to get ready and start for their destinations. In this regard, lights are to switch on, and ultimately this arrangement requires consumption of more power. They are also feeling unsafe, as they are starting from their houses in dark amid various risks.
About 70 countries of the world, particularly in Europe and America, have DST. These countries, switching over to daylight saving time in summer, routinely go back to the standard time as winter sets in, they said.
When the local business people recommended introduction of DST, they thought that it would be changed with the change of season as is done elsewhere, they added.
BCI directors Priti Chakrobarty, Abul Kalam Azad, Abul Kalam Bhuyian and Zia Hyder Mithu, among others, were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) urged the government to revert to the country's previous standard time from the ongoing day-light saving time (DST), considering the problems the people have to face due to this changed time.
The demand came in a meeting of the BCI board of directors Wednesday.
"The government should switch back to the previous standard time as early as possible," said BCI president Shahedul Islam Helal. When the government introduced DST, it was stated that the new time would remain in force for a certain period, he said.
The BCI president pointed out that in Bangladesh where there is an acute shortage of power, DST would not be much effective in reducing power consumption.
The school-goers, their guardians and the industrial workers of first shift are compelled to wake up much before the sunrise to get ready and start for their destinations. In this regard, lights are to switch on, and ultimately this arrangement requires consumption of more power. They are also feeling unsafe, as they are starting from their houses in dark amid various risks.
About 70 countries of the world, particularly in Europe and America, have DST. These countries, switching over to daylight saving time in summer, routinely go back to the standard time as winter sets in, they said.
When the local business people recommended introduction of DST, they thought that it would be changed with the change of season as is done elsewhere, they added.
BCI directors Priti Chakrobarty, Abul Kalam Azad, Abul Kalam Bhuyian and Zia Hyder Mithu, among others, were present at the meeting.