The citizens of Uttar Pradesh (UP) have replaced one crore inefficient bulbs with energy efficient LEDs, distributed under the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme. Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of the State (IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy , distributed the one crore oneth bulb to Sh. A.K. Singh, Managing Director of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (PUVVNL) in Varanasi yesterday late evening . Given a total target consumer base of approx. 45 lakhs, UP has been the fastest state in the country to achieve this remarkable feat. On the occasion, Shri Goyal also announced that the price of the LED bulb in Uttar Pradesh will now be only Rs. 80. The prices of LED bulbs have dropped to Rs. 80 in the state of Uttar Pradesh because of the transparent procurement by EESL and the removal of VAT in the state. UP was the first state in the country to remove VAT on LED bulbs.Shri Goyal also took the opportunity to launch the National Energy Efficient Fan Programme (NEEFP) in the UP. Under this Scheme, BEE 5 star rated ceiling fans of 50 Watt will be distributed to the consumers at an attractive EMI model.
The Minister distributed energy efficient fans to 15 consumers at an event held in the city. The energy efficient ceiling fans will be distributed by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in collaboration with PUVVNL in the city.UP will also be the second state in the country to adopt the energy efficient fan programme. With the usage of 50 Watts BEE 5 Star rated ceiling fans, distributed under the National Energy Efficient Fan Programme, it is estimated that consumers' electricity bills will reduce by about Rs. 700-730 per year. Therefore, the cost recovery of purchasing these fans is less than 2 years. These fans are 30% more energy efficient as compared to conventional fans, which range from 75-80 Watts. At present, two energy efficient fans will be provided to each consumer at Rs 60 a month per fan on EMI basis. This scheme will be available to the consumer on providing a copy of latest electricity bill at the designated distribution centre. The consumer can also purchase the fan by paying Rs. 1300/- upfront. A consumer can replace the technically faulty FAN up to a period of 2 years. EESL aims to distribute 1 lakh energy efficient fans over the next few months in Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal, said, “Uttar Pradesh is a big contributor to our vision of an energy efficient India. Distribution of over one crore LED bulbs is testimony to that. Along with LED bulbs, we now offer you energy efficient fans. Energy consumption of the entire state will reduce further which will result in generating more power to be distributed to villages and other rural areas. Through the National Energy Efficient Fan Programme, you can change your old, inefficient fans to energy efficient ones, with an easy installment scheme. This will not only help you save on your electricity bill, but will also help reducing load on DISCOMs which in turn can light up many towns & villages in your state and the country”. EESL through aggregation and transparent procurement has achieved a rapid decline in LED prices. EESL, in the past has pooled all the prices and successfully passed on this price advantage to the consumers and it will continue to do so in future as well.The UJALA scheme is being monitored in a transparent manner through a national dashboard (www.delp.in). As of now, EESL has distributed over 9 crore LED bulbs and the programme has led to significant savings to the country and consumers who are using these bulbs.