During the Cabinet session held yesterday, it was decided that Daylight Saving Time (DST), also known as Summer Time, will be implemented starting from March 27.

Critics say that arbitrary changes of time badly influence human health and can lead to the loss of bio-energy and an increase in seasonal affective disorder.  However, in economic terms, supporters of DST say that it is an effective means to save energy.

Many Western countries who use DST have conducted studies to determine the economic savings of the practice. In Mongolia, according to a study conducted in 1998, the utilization of natural light saves 23 million kw/hour of energy. Supporters also say that business hours will end earlier; giving workers more time to be spent with their families.

The decision to adopt Daylight Saving Time was first made in Mongolia with Resolution No.245 in 1960. 

Under Resolution No.74 issued in 1985, from the last Sunday of every March until the last Sunday of September, clocks were to be set one hour forward. This resolution was implemented until it was invalidated in 1999. But following a government resolution in 2001, the summer time system was picked up again, only to be invalidated once more in 2005.

The Cabinet says it has decided to approve this resolution once more in consideration of the economic benefits of adopting the system.