Entire Nation adopts GoI’s UJALA scheme
National, July 17, 2017: With the implementation of the Government of India’s Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA) programme in Arunachal Pradesh, the world’s largest non-subsidised LED bulb distribution programme is now being implemented across India. Moreover, over 25 crore LED bulbs have been successfully distributed under UJALA, in addition to over 28 lakh LED tubelights and 10 lakh energy efficient fans. The programme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, in collaboration with various power distribution companies (DISCOMs) in each of the 29 states and 7 Union Territories.
Launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on January 5, 2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore inefficient bulbs with Energy Efficient LED Bulbs, the distribution of energy efficient appliances under the UJALA scheme has led to annual energy savings of more than 3,277 crore kWh, while resulting in avoidance of over 6,597 MW of peak demand. The estimated cumulative cost reduction in bills of consumers, per year is ₹13,100 crores and has also helped in reduction of 2.7 crore tonnes of CO2 per annum.
Speaking on the occasion, Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, said, “EESL is proud that the UJALA scheme is being implemented in each and every corner of India. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to every citizen of the country, who has pledged towards leading the way towards an energy efficient lifestyle, and contributed towards an energy efficient nation. The UJALA scheme is being hailed by reputed international agencies like the International Energy Agency and the United Nations as a viable case study for other developed and developing markets, and the 25-crore LED bulb milestone as well as the pan-India implementation of the scheme is only a testimony to the international recognition.”
Post the implementation of GST, the 9-Watt LED bulbs available under the UJALA scheme are priced at ₹70/- per unit across the country, while the 20-Watt LED tubelights and the BEE 5-star rated energy efficient fans are priced at ₹220/- per unit and ₹1,200/- per unit respectively. Eligible consumers can purchase these appliances from the authorised EESL distribution centre nearest to their home. The details of the distribution centre can be found out either by logging on to www.ujala.gov.in and subsequently clicking on the state where the consumer resides, or by downloading the UJALA mobile application on their Android/Apple smartphones.
If consumers notice or come across anyone demanding higher prices than the printed MRP, they should immediately report such cases at “Register your complaint” section on UJALA dashboard www.ujala.gov.in, or on EESL social media handles – for Twitter @EESL_India and for Facebook @EESLIndia. They can also contact the All-India helpline number 1800 180 3580. The official EESL complaint registration email ID is [email protected]. Consumers can also register their complaints at the EESL complaint logging portal – http://support.eeslindia.org/.
The LED bulbs and LED tube lights provided under the UJALA scheme are of superior quality and come with a three-year free replacement warranty, while the energy efficient fans come with a 2.5-year technical warranty. The LED bulbs have a lifetime of 25,000 hours and consume only one-tenth of the energy used by ordinary bulbs to provide better light output. Moreover, the ceiling fans under the scheme are 30 percent more energy efficient as compared to conventional fans, whereas the 20W LED tube lights are 50 percent more energy efficient than the conventional 40 W tube lights.
During the distribution phase, replacement of faulty bulbs, if any, can be done through any of the distribution counters that would be operating within the state. The list of these can be found on the national UJALA dashboard – www.ujala.gov.in. Post the distribution ends consumers will be informed about dedicated replacement counters through advertisements, social media and other channels.
