Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher on Monday launched the Central Government's UJAlA scheme here and asked power consumers to use energy efficient appliances for a cleaner and greener environment.
Kher inaugurated the Unnat Jeevan by Affordable lEDs and Appliances for All (UJAlA) scheme aiming to distribute 30 lakh lED bulbs, 10 lakh lED tube lights and 1 lakh BEE 5-star rated energy efficient fans to consumers.
She said the total estimated annual savings in consumers' electricity bills through this scheme will be over `175 crore, and annual energy savings will be `45 crore kWh.
"The UJAlA scheme has been widely accepted by consumers across the country. The scheme apart from helping citizens of Chandigarh save on their electricity bills, will also help avoid 100 MW of peak demand. The scheme will also help in reduction of carbon dioxide emission and lead to a cleaner and greener environment," Kher said.
"I urge residents of Chandigarh to understand the potential of using energy efficient appliances, to come forward and make this scheme a success and make our city and, in turn, country energy efficient," she said.
The UJAlA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services limited (EESl), a JV under the administration of Ministry of Power.
Under UJAlA, consumers in Chandigarh can buy 4 lED bulbs, 4 lED tube lights and 4 BEE 5-star rated energy efficient fans, she said.
The price of each lED bulb is `70 as against its market price of `300-350 and each lED tube light is priced at `230, whereas the price of each energy efficient fan is `1,150.
UJAlA domestic appliances can be purchased from designated EESl distribution kiosks. EESl provides free of cost replacement for all technical faults for 3 years for lED bulbs and lED tube lights and gives technical warranty of 2.5 years for energy efficient fans.
The UJAlA scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 5, 2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore inefficient bulbs with Energy Efficient lED Bulbs.
Currently, over 21 crore lED bulbs have been distributed in India, leading to an annual energy savings of close to 2,800 crore kWh.