‘Hosa Belaku’ plan in darkness! : Special Report

• No distribution of LED bulb since a year
• Lack of bulb, the reason

Sullia: The ‘Hosa Belaku’ (meaning new light) plan, a collaborative effort by the Union-State governments, with the intention to save electricity through the distribution of LED bulbs (Light Emitting Diodes) at subsidized rates has stopped. It’s been a year since the distribution of Hosa Belaku has stopped.

The state government started the central government’s ‘Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (Ujala)’ plan by renaming it as ‘Hosa Belaku’.

It was being said that more than 50% of the electricity used in a household could be saved through the use these bulbs. The bulbs which cost Rs 400, were initially distributed at Rs 100 and later at Rs 80.

Assuming the amount of electricity used by a family, 5-10 bulbs were distributed. The beneficiaries could avail the bulb from the counter at the electricity centre by submitting relevant documents. Blubs worth Rs 2.5 lakh were distributed from a subdivision in Puttur.

Counter Closed!

An agency had conducted the distribution at the electricity centres in the district and its taluks. Customers bought and bought. After sometime, one by one the counters were closed. 10 months passed by, but the counters remained shut. When asked with Mescom, the response was that they had only provided the location for sale; the distribution is the agency’s responsibility.

Lack of stocks!

On one hand, there is an opinion that the lack of bulbs is not being fulfilled while on the other hand, it is being said that since there is a plan to sell LED tube lights along with LED bulbs, the distribution has been stopped temporarily. It is also being said that the production has been stopped since the product quality is inadequate.

No replacement for dysfunctional LED bulbs

If the LED bulbs go dysfunctional within the guarantee period, then it is the responsibility of the distributing agency to replace it. Many bulbs in the taluk have gone dysfunctional before the guarantee period. But the agency which is responsible for its replacement, itself is not there.

Only location was provided

“Only location was provided to an agency for the distribution of the LED bulbs. The issue of distribution comes within the jurisdiction of the agency. Mescom has not taken the responsibility of distribution. As in other taluks, bulb distribution has been stopped in Puttur too,” said Narasimha, Functional Engineer, Mescom Puttur Division.