Without govt support, TN lags in LED bulb distribution scheme

Among the southern States, Karnataka leads with the distribution of 2.24 crore LED bulbs followed by Andhra Pradesh with 2.20 crore bulbs. Kerala has recorded distribution of 1.52 crore bulbs, according to the National Ujala Dashboard.

When the Ujala scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi in January 2015, the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) planned to provide 77 crore LED bulbs to domestic consumers replacing incandescent bulbs.

In TN, the EESL set a target to sell three crore LEDs (each nine watts), 35 lakh tube lights (20 watts) and 10 lakh star-rated fans (50 watts each). They were prices at Rs 70, Rs 220 and Rs 1,200 per piece respectively. This would help to save 416 crore kWh electricity and Rs 1,650 crore on electricity bills.

TN Progressive Consumer Centre President T Sadagopan, said that he had a bad experience with the LED bulbs and tube lights bought under the Ujala scheme. “As the LED bulbs and tube lights were sold through temporary stalls, we could not exchange them if it gets fused before the one-year warranty period,” he said, adding that Tangedco did not take any initiative to create awareness among the public about the benefits of using LED bulbs. “Neighbouring Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have taken a lead in creating awareness and it reflects in the sales,” he told DT Next.

T Ramesh, regional manager of EESL, said that when compared to other States, the scheme was launched late in TN. “In some states, the State government is distributing the bulbs. Wherever the distribution is done by the discoms, the response would be more. Like in Andhra Pradesh, the discom has distributed two bulbs at a low price and recovered the rest of the amount from the consumer (in their electricity bills),” he said, adding that EESL is doing the LED distribution on its own in the State.