3 lakh consumers to be covered under LED promotion plan

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 20

Nearly three lakh consumers will be covered under the LED promotion programme of the state government in Mandi district. The state government has launched the scheme with an objective to conserve energy.

Under the scheme, LED bulbs are being made available to the domestic consumers below the market price and the cost is being recovered from the consumers through the electricity bills.

In a statement issued here today, DPRO stated that the programme was being launched in a phased manner in the state. In first phase, it was started in Mandi, Shimla, Kangra, Kullu and Rampur circle in August this year and Dalhousie, Rohru, Hamirpur and Una in September this year and would start in Bilaspur, Nahan and Solan circle in October.

More than 21 lakh consumers would be covered under the scheme in the state which would help in energy conservation and provide long-lasting electricity bulbs to the consumers.

Both domestic and non-domestic consumers are covered under the LED promotion programme. In offices, factories, hotel and other commercial properties full replacement would be done. The state government has reduced VAT on LED bulbs from 13.75 per cent to 5 per cent for the benefit of the consumers.

Each domestic consumer can avail up to seven watts 10 LED bulbs (three bulbs on EMI and seven bulbs on upfront payment mode) and each non-domestic consumer can avail up to seven watts 15 LED bulbs (three bulbs on EMI and 12 bulbs on upfront payment mode) under the programme.

Against market price of Rs 350 per LED bulb, the same is being made available at about Rs 100 per bulb. Consumer will pay Rs 10 per bulb at the initial stage and Rs 10 per bulb per month will be recovered through subsequent electricity bills. Consumer can also save up to Rs 15 on three LED bulbs by adopting the upfront payment mode.

The bulbs would be given after the validation of the electricity bill last paid and identity proof of the consumer. Any consumer having more than one connection in his/her name, on Bill Financing Option (OBF) would be provided only for one connection to him/her and in other accounts to his/her tenants against the identity proof and valid electricity bill.

Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited was providing the bulbs which it was procuring through Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a public sector undertaking. Each seven watts LED bulb can provide light similar to that of a 60 watts ordinary bulb. Each bulb has the estimated working capacity of 50,000 hours i.e. approximately six years.

A proper mechanism would also be developed for the collection, replacement and disposal of defective LED bulbs being covered under E-Waste. The circle-wise collection points with consumer awareness strategy would be established.