Gram Ujala Scheme (ग्राम उजाला योजना) 2021 is an EESL arm CESL run Rs. 10 LED Bulb Yojana, Gram Ujala Yojana के तहत LED बल्ब केवल 10 रुपए में ग्रामीण उपभगताओं को उपलब्ध करवाया जाएगा, check details of LED bulb distribution scheme.
ग्राम उजाला योजना 2021: EESL arm Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) on 19 March launched the Gram Ujala Scheme 2021. Through this new initiative, Central govt. aims to provide high quality energy efficient LED bulbs at just Rs. 10 per piece in certain villages of five states in the first phase. This scheme would also be called as EESL Rs. 10 LED Bulb Yojana aiming to benefit rural population. In this article, we will tell you about the complete details of the CESL Gram Ujala Yojana.
LED bulb Distribution Latest Update
10 Lakh LED bulb Distribution to begin from 14 December 2021: To enhance awareness among the people in rural areas on energy efficiency and conservation and provide high quality lighting, the state government is going to distribute 10 lakh LED bulbs to households in rural Andhra Pradesh. LED bulbs will be distributed at a highly subsidised rate of Rs. 10 per bulb under the Gram Ujala programme, between 14 December 2021 and 15 February 2022. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited, will supply the bulbs to the State to mark the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav.
CESL is keen to distribute around 10 lakh LED bulbs to Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav on National Energy Conservation Day (December 14). The programme will continue up to February 2022. Implementation of Gram Ujala programme will be done through distribution of the LED bulbs in rural areas of AP. It will help lessen the burden of electricity bills to some extent on the rural households and helps to reduce peak power demand substantially for AP power utilities. AP is one of the five States selected for the implementation of the scheme. The other being Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat.
The entire expenditure for the distribution of 10 lakh LEDs will be borne by CESL and there would not be any financial burden on the power utilities or the state government. The objective of Gram Ujala Scheme is that the rural people who are unable to afford high quality lighting can benefit from Gram Ujala, which is an innovative project that achieves social objectives, income savings as well as climate change benefits arising from energy efficiency.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has been emphasising the need for providing 24×7 quality and cost effective power for which this Gram Ujala project will have a good impact on the states objective. As per the directions of the chief minister, the power utilities have been providing 24X7 quality power supply in the State even in remote areas of the rural pockets. LEDs offered under this initiative are energy efficient, and of high quality and long lasting. They consume 88 per cent less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs.
LED is a highly energy efficient lighting technology and lasts 25 times longer than incandescent lighting in general. The LEDs emit very less heat comparing with the incandescent bulbs and CFLs which releases 90 per cent and 80 per cent of their energy as heat respectively.
Gram Ujala Scheme 1st Phase – Complete Details
n the first phase of this Gram Ujala Scheme, around 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed across villages of the following states:
- Aarah (Bihar)
- Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh)
- Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- Villages in Western Gujarat
The Gram Ujala Scheme Phase 1 will be financed entirely through carbon credits and will be the first such LED Bulb Distribution Programme in India. CESL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), unveiled GRAM UJALA programme.
Launch of Gram Ujala Yojana Phase 1
The Gram Ujala Yojana Phase 1 was launched by Power & New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh in Bihar. Under the programme, 7 watt and 12 watt LED bulbs with three years of warranty will be given to rural consumers on submission of working incandescent bulbs. The Gram Ujala Scheme will be implemented in villages of the 5 districts only. Each consumer can exchange a maximum of five LED bulbs. These rural households will also have metres installed in their houses to account for usage.
Huge Energy Savings Through Rs. 10 LED Bulb Yojana
The Gram Ujala Yojana will have a significant impact on India’s climate change action. There will be energy savings of 2025 million KWh/year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million tonnes CO2/year. The Rs. 10 LED bulbs given under the Gram Ujala Yojna will also enable better illumination at an affordable price. The new Gram Ujala Scheme will usher in a better standard of life, financial savings, more economic activity and better safety for rural citizens.
Government Statement on Gram Ujala Scheme
A central govt. minister said “It is a moment of great pride and joy that we are able to find a solution that will provide affordable and high-quality LEDs to our rural population. I commend the efforts of Convergence (CESL) for their relentless work in taking the country’s vision forward. I am sure such commitment and effort will be replicated across rural areas of India”.
Gram Ujala Scheme is a very important initiative based on an innovative model utilising carbon credits. Gram Ujala will not only give a fillip to our fight against climate change by increasing energy efficiency, but also usher in a better standard of life, financial savings, and better safety for the citizens in rural areas.
Need for Gram Ujala Scheme
Ujala programme could not touch every village because the rural consumers were not able to pay Rs. 70 per LED bulb. With Gram Ujala scheme, the central govt. will be taking back the consumer’s incandescent bulbs and provide this high-quality LED bulb for Rs. 10 per bulb. Furthermore, carbon credit documentation will be sent to UN-accredited validators for inclusion into the Shine Programme of activities.
Carbon Credits under Shine Programme of Activities
Carbon credits will be prepared under the Shine Programme of Activities with an option for verifying under the Voluntary Carbon Standard, depending on the needs of buyers. Carbon credit buyers will also be sought through an open process based on initial discussions with the market. The balance cost and margin on the LED cost will be recouped through the carbon credits earned.
With price being one of the principle barriers, the Gram Ujala programme has been designed to support widespread distribution by removing the chief barrier for rural consumers. In addition, the energy savings garnered will reduce household’s energy outlay, enabling higher disposable income and savings.