Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his independence day speech pledged to distribute 77 crore energy efficient LED lights at a subsidized rate of Rs 50 each.
”We want to distribute 77 crore more LED bulbs. I urge you all to use LED bulbs, save energy and take part in helping our nation,” Modi said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
“When 77 crore LED lights will be used in the country, India can save up to 20,000 MW energy and electricity worth around Rs 125 crore.” He said the government had brought down the cost of a Rs 350 LED bulb to Rs 50.
Under the government’s Domestic Efficient Lighting Program (DELP) nearly 13 crore LED bulbs have been distributed so far.
Under the scheme, LED bulbs are procured through a process of competitive bidding and then resold at low prices.
According to a government report the use of LEDs for public lighting and in homes could potentially save 20,000 megawatts of electricity. It costs Rs. 1.25 lakh crores to generate the same amount of energy.
By Belal Khan
