Soon After Arrah in Bihar, RK Singh Launches Gram Ujala Scheme in Varanasi Offering LED Bulb in Rs 10

Few days after Arrah in Bihar, the Union Minister of State (I/C) for Power & New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh has launched the Gram Ujala program in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Under the program, EESL-owned Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) has been distributing high quality LED bulbs, at an affordable cost of Rs 10 per bulb in rural areas of Varanasi.

The launch programme was attended by Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power and other dignitaries.

CESL has targeted to distribute 1 crore 50 lakh LED bulbs under phase-1 of Gram Ujala programme which is expected to have a significant impact on India’s climate change action energy savings of 2025 million kWh/year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million T CO2/year.

The programme aimed to usher in a better standard of life, financial savings, more economic activity, and better safety for rural citizens.

RK Singh congratulated CESL for its new initiative under which it will provide affordable and high-quality LEDs to the rural population. He also appreciated UP government for electrification of every village in the state in nearly 4 years after signing the ambitious ‘Power for All’ agreement with the Centre.

The Minister said that India is leading in energy transition as well as energy efficiency. This scheme is designed specifically for rural homes keeping affordability in mind and it will also result in energy savings as a 12-Watt LED bulb gives equivalent light as of 100 watt incandescent bulb.

Singh further lauded EESL’s efforts in implementing UJALA scheme under which 36 crores LED bulbs have been distributed and 1 crore 15 lakh streetlights have been replaced with LED lights across the country resulting in energy savings of thousands of megawatts. Now the Gram Ujala scheme has crossed 6,150 distribution mark in Arrah, Bihar within 2 days of launch.

Under the programme, 7 watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working incandescent bulbs. This scheme will be implemented only in villages of the 5 districts where consumers can exchange a maximum of 5 LED bulbs. These rural households will also have meters installed in their houses to monitor numbers of hours of usage.