Mobile outlets to sell LED bulbs at select villages

The scheme would be undertaken by Energy Efficiency Services Limited in coordination with Tangedco. The minister flagged off 10 vehicles at the Tangedco headquarters in the city, while 150 vehicles would be used for the programme throughout the state till May 5. 

Speaking to the media, Thangamani said they would be deployed around 1,477 selected villages in the state as a part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan scheme. 

Stressing on the use of LED bulbs to reduce power consumption, the minister also asserted that there would be no power outages in the state since the power generation is sufficient for the state. 

Under the scheme, a total of 16,850 villages had been selected throughout the country and the 9-watt LED bulbs would be sold in the villages at a concession rate of Rs 50 each. The LED would be brighter, its rate lesser and efficiency higher. 

The Ujala scheme to supply LED bulbs to consumers came into force in March 2017, in the urban areas where the bulbs were supplied at Rs 70 each. Thangamani said he had inaugurated the scheme for the rural areas of the state and 1,477 selected villages with a total population of 7.71 lakh families would be benefited. The price was further reduced to Rs 50 for the villages, he said. 

When the target of the scheme is achieved, about 5.74 crore units of electricity worth Rs 10.27 crores would be saved. He said the people would be helping the environment by using LED bulbs besides receiving more benefit at lesser cost. Tangedco chairman Vikram Kapoor and other officials were present during the function.