Three led bulbs were supplied to each household with great fanfare. It was meant to reduce the electric consumption and thus an attractive computation of energy saving proposal was highlighted.
The households were assured of replacement of the defective, non-functional bulbs within three years. The replacement was handled by the distant Electric Department, making it most inconvenient for consumers to get replacement.
Any replacement should have been necessarily made available in local electricity offices. Consumers are directed to seek the assistance from the central place without being aware of the actual situation of replacement. The counter handling replacement has been disbanded soon thereafter and the response we got was ‘the replacement will depend on the stock received are received from the supplier,’ as and when that happens. But the department is not even maintaining any records of replacement required, if the supplier has to act. Then one fine day they dropped the bombshell, by casually saying that the bulb boxes were required. It was shocking revelation, as boxes were not saved by most recipients and we see a deliberate ploy and a very good excuse to deny replacement.
Nowhere, was it mentioned or was informed about the preservation of containers for replacement. The frequent fluctuations, surges in current, disconnections of supply are bound to affect the life span of the bulbs. The quality of LED bulbs supplied too is highly suspect, as many consumers have lost bulbs quite early, forget about the three years guarantee .
There is also no doubt that free LED bulbs are all paid by the citizens by indirect taxes and obviously the supplier has laughed all the way to his bank.
Why was the condition of replacement by authorities not insisted upon and published for informing the public, rather than keeping them in the dark. Is there any doubt that a slice of the profits have found its way into private pockets to silence them on enforcement clause of replacement .
Moreover, the answers provided of inability are indication of irresponsibility and lackadaisical attitude.
The government enjoyed publicity and earned political mileage with free distribution of LED largesse. The defective and non-functional LED bulbs must be replaced as per guarantee. Don’t take people for a ride!
