Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed power department officials to arrange meetings in all districts immediately under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners on Sunday morning and ensure wide publicity to sensitise people on the Union government’s advisory on the switch-off period on April 5 and ensure that no disruption takes place on the power grid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday addressed the nation through a video message with an appeal to switch off lights for nine minutes at 9pm on Sunday and light candles or torches or mobile flashlights on their balconies and gates to show their solidarity in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

Power department officials have informed Sonowal that according to the Centre’s advisory, people are requested to switch off lights only.

There is no call to switch off streetlights or appliances like computers, television sets, fans, refrigerators and air- conditioners, they said.

Sonowal on Saturday directed the state power department to take adequate measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply at health institutions of the state, especially where quarantine facilities are in place. He also instructed the department to keep adequate transformers and generators ready, besides sensitising health authorities to keep electricians at hand to deal with any exigency.