Chandigarh, June 25 (IANS) : Faced with a major power crisis in the state in the paddy sowing season, the Punjab government has issued instructions banning the use of air-conditioners in all government offices throughout the state from Thursday.

An official spokesman said late Wednesday that the move had been made to ensure eight-hours uninterrupted power supply to the farm sector for transplantation of paddy crop.

"The decision has been taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in view of acute shortage of power supply due to increased demand in the agriculture sector and the delayed monsoon," the spokesman added.

However, the order will remain in force only till June 30 as the state government is banking on the monsoon to hit the state by that time which could ease the power supply demand from the domestic, commercial and farm sectors.

But the ban on the use of air-conditioners could be further extended depending on the power situation in the state, added the spokesman.