With 31 crore highly energy efficient LED bulbs already sold across the country at half the price of the prevailing market rate, leading to more than 8,000 MW reduction in peak demand for power, the UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) programme, launched by the country in 2015, is shifting into top gear to meet its target of distributing 77 crore LEDs by March 2019, in pursuit of its quest to become the largest LED distribution programme in the world. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of all public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Power, which is executing the programme, has tied up with India Post to sell its 9w LED bulbs, 20w LED tube lights and BEE 5 star rated 48 inch wing span LED fans through its vast network of post offices in urban and rural areas to increase its penetration into every nook and corner. On Wednesday, Punjab and Chandigarh became the fourth circle of India Post after Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to join the movement.
Anil Kumar, Chief Postmaster General (Punjab & Chandigarh), India Post, formally launched the sale of the LED appliances from the Grand Post Office (GPO) in Sector 17, in the presence of P.M. Lal, Postmaster General, and Nitin Bhatt, Regional Manager, EESL.
Photo By : Life In Chandigarh
Interacting with media persons, Anil Kumar said that the sale and replacement of EESL appliances will be rolled out in phases to cover all the 770 post offices under the circle, a plan for which is being worked out. While India Post will be getting a reasonable commission from EESL, it is also fulfilling a social responsibility by carrying a message to the masses of saving power, generation of which costs the government a huge investment, apart from contributing to the carbon footprint, he added.
Bhatt said buying EESL’s LED appliances makes sense for all categories of consumers as they match up to the highest quality standards, come with an assured replacement guarantee within the prescribed period and cost less than half of the prevailing market rates. A 9w EESL LED bulb costs a standard Rs 70, a 20w LED tube light Rs 220 and a BEE 5-star rated ceiling fan of 50w and a wing span of 48 inches costs Rs 1110 across the country, he added.
Asked why EESL was offering only a fixed wattage LED bulb, tube light and ceiling fan, Bhatt said they were a replacement for the most commonly used conventional appliances – 100w incandescent bulb, 40w tube light and 80w ceiling fan. Under the first phase of the programme the focus is on these, but later more variety will be introduced and new appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners will be added as and when LED technology becomes available in these.
He said EESL through its fleet of mobile vans can reach out to communities at short notice on special request for awareness and sale of its energy efficient LED appliances and appealed to all groupings of people to avail of the facility.
Lifeinchandigarh.com wishes EESL-India Post tie-up all success, and urges consumers to join the UJALA movement for a better future for all.
 programme, launched by the country in 2015, is shifting into top gear to meet its target of distributing 77 crore LEDs by March 2019, in pursuit of its quest to become the largest LED distribution programme in the world. Energy Efficiency Services Limite){kind=link}