Government organizations may have to pay a fine from 100,000 to 300,000 yuan for turning their indoor temperature to below 26 degree Celsius using air conditioners in public infrastructures, as summer is on the way, the Beijing Times reported Thursday.

That is according to a draft plan made by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction. The ministry began to seek opinions on Wednesday from the general public on the measures to be taken to control indoor temperature in public buildings with air conditioning system.

The draft plan also stipulates that indoor temperature in public buildings in the winter should not exceed 20 degree Celsius through air conditioning.

The Ministry will circulate a notice of criticism to publish the names of the departments that violate the regulations and specify a period of time within which the departments should make adjustments.

A heavy fine will be imposed on the departments that continue to make their indoor temperature cooler or warmer than regulated pass the deadline.

Earlier, the State Council issued a document urging local governments at all levels to make energy saving a priority.

For each sector, like manufacturing, construction, transportation, government, and residential and rural areas, the document sets energy conservation targets and provides advices on how to reach them.

(CRI April 10, 2008)