New Delhi (NVI): Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), today launched Gram Ujala programme in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi, to provide affordable LED bulbs in rural areas.
The scheme was launched by Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Raj Kumar Singh at Jayapur village in Varanasi. Under this initiative, energy efficient LED bulbs will be sold in rural areas of Varanasi at an affordable cost of Rs 10 per bulb.
Under the phase 1 of Gram Ujala programme, 1 crore 50 lakh LED bulbs will be provided which will have a significant impact on India’s climate change action energy savings of 2025 million kWh/year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million T CO2/year, according to the Power Ministry.
The Ministry also stated that the programme will enable better illumination, at an affordable price, which will usher in a better standard of life, financial savings, more economic activity, and better safety for rural citizens.
During the launch ceremony, Singh congratulated CESL for its new initiative under which it will provide affordable and high-quality LEDs to the rural population.
He also appreciated Uttar Pradesh government for electrification of every village in the state in nearly four years after signing the ambitious ‘Power for All’ agreement with the Centre.
Power Minister said that India is leading in energy transition as well as energy efficiency, adding that, “This scheme is designed specifically for rural homes keeping affordability in mind and it will result in energy savings as a 12 Watt LED bulb gives equivalent light as of 100 watt incandescent bulb.”
Singh further lauded EESL’s efforts in implementing UJALA scheme under which 36 crores LED bulbs have been distributed and 1 crore 15 lakh street lights have been replaced with LED lights across the country resulting in energy savings of thousands of megawatts.
The Gram Ujala scheme has crossed 6,150 distribution mark in Arrah, Bihar within two days of launch.
Under this scheme, 7 watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working incandescent bulbs. It will be implemented only in villages of the 5 districts where consumers can exchange a maximum of 5 LED bulbs.
These rural households will also have meters installed in their houses to monitor numbers of hours of usage, the statement added.
-RJV/ARK
