PANJIM: Come July 8, the State government will distribute three LED bulbs of 9 watts each under the Ujala scheme of the Central government. The Cabinet on Friday approved 100 percent subsidy to the scheme.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that under the scheme, the Centre would buy the LED bulbs @ of Rs 76.68 and supply it to the State in lots.
“The Centre had asked us to give it to the people for Rs 25 each and bear the remaining 51.68 as subsidy. However, the cabinet decided to grant 100 percent subsidy for the purpose,” Parsekar said.
He said that there are about 4,84,856 domestic consumers and each will have to be bring the Electricity Bill and ID proof to avail the benefit. “Ministers, MLAs and other electricity department officers will visit each ward or panchayat and distribute on a listed day,” he said.
“This will save the State 7,78,96,935 units every year, which when converted into rupees will be Rs 16,59,20,473,” he said.
Asked what will be the amount the government shells out as subsidy for the bulbs, he said, it would amount to Rs 11,15,43,175 and even with this, the government would save Rs 5,43,77,298 due to less consumption of power by these bulbs.
