Taking a cue from the Centre that has been distributing LED bulbs at subsidised rates for some years now, the State Government is likely to introduce a programme toprovide such bulbs to all households free of cost.
The distribution of bulbs assumes significance as elections are ahead.
The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) has drafted a plan named, “Ama Ghare LED Light’ and sent it to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for final approval.
According to the proposal, the OPTCL would purchase 3.84 crore LED bulbs of nine watt at investment of Rs 237 crore through a tender process, if the plan is approved by the CM.
The LED bulbs will be distributed to around 96 lakh households through the PDS counters in coming six months’ time, and each household will be given four bulbs, according to sources.
With use of LED bulbs, the power consumption will be reduced benefitting both the consumers and the Government, said officials.
It may be noted that consumers get LED bulbs for Rs 85 each with three year replacement warranty under the Union Government’s Ujala scheme. Around 1.40 crore bulbs have been sold under this programme at various distribution company offices in the State as of now, according to reports.