Published: April 3, 2026, 05:34 PM
The government has announced a series of austerity measures—including reduced office hours, early shop closures, and restrictions on public spending - to conserve electricity and fuel amid concerns over a potential energy crisis linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The government has taken a series of new decisions to save electricity and fuel in preparation for a potential energy crisis stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict. The measures include reducing office hours, closing shops and shopping malls early, and banning decorative lighting at wedding ceremonies.
Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Goni briefed journalists after an emergency cabinet meeting held on Thursday night, April 2. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister at the National Parliament Secretariat.
According to the announcement, working hours at all government and private offices will be reduced by one hour to seven hours from Sunday, April 5. Under the new schedule, offices will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Banks and financial institutions will remain open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Shopping malls and shops have been instructed to close by 6:00 pm daily. Decorative lighting at wedding ceremonies has also been banned to save electricity.
Several stricter measures have been adopted to cut energy costs. No new vehicles—by land, water or air—will be purchased for the government sector for the next three months. Purchase of new computer equipment has also been suspended.
All foreign training funded by the government will remain suspended, and internal training has been reduced by 50 per cent. Hospitality expenses for meetings and seminars have been halved.
A target has been set to reduce spending in the fuel, electricity and gas sectors by up to 30 per cent. Unnecessary travel has also been instructed to be reduced.
No final decision has been made regarding educational institutions. The government said separate directives on this matter would be issued on Sunday.
