VISAKHAPATNAM: The Union government is likely to invest about Rs 450 crore in the implementation of the Gram Ujala programme in Andhra Pradesh that may help lessen the burden of electricity bills on rural households.
The Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) will distribute about 4.4 crore LED bulbs to about 81.5 lakh rural households in the state.
The programme will be implemented by CESL with major support from AP panchayat raj and rural development ministry.
This is in co-ordination with Andhra Pradesh State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation Limited.
The programme is expected to reduce electricity bills of rural households by Rs 600-700 a year. It will also help the AP power sector to reduce peak demand of 1,144 MW (megawatt), benefiting rural consumers as well as discoms.
The managing director of CESL, Mahua Acharya, met the minister for panchayat raj and rural development, Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, and discussed the launching of the Gram Ujala programme. She requested the minister for finalising a convenient date, district and venue.
The CESL MD briefed the minister that five proactive states in welfare and energy efficiency programmes, including Andhra Pradesh, have been selected for implementing the Gram Ujala programme.
“CESL has already launched the programme in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh will be the third state being where the plan is to be launched soon,” said Acharya.
Acharya said a sample survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh indicated the usage of about five incandescent bulbs in every rural household of Andhra Pradesh. Under this scheme, 7 watt and 12 watt LED bulbs will be given to eligible rural households at Rs10 each and against the submission of working incandescent bulbs of 60 watt and 100 watt.
Minister for panchayat raj & rural development, Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, thanked CESL for selecting AP for the novel programme for distribution of LED bulbs for Rs10 each up to a maximum of five LED bulbs per household without any burden on the state government.
“Each 7W LED bulb costs about Rs 70 and 12W costs Rs 120 in the market. Providing the LEDs at such nominal price is a welcoming step,” said Ramachandra Reddy.
