India’s Uttar Pradesh State power department will be rolling out a plan to supply LED bulbs to household consumers at nominal cost throughout Varansi and Sangam city in April and May respectively.

Every household that has a monthly power consumption of less than 200 units, will be provided with up to five LED bulbs under the scheme. The 7W bulbs that generally cost INR 104 (US $3.31) will be given to consumers at an initial cost of INR 10 per bulb, and the remaining amount will be adjusted through bills. Those with a power consumption of above 200 units will be given 10 LED bulbs, and the cost realization measures will also be implemented, said R K Sharma, MD, Purvanchal Vidhyut Nigam Limited.

Varanasi will be the first city in the state implementing the new scheme, which will than be extended to 19 other cities in the state, including the six zones of Purvanchal (eastern UP). "Each of these high-quality bulbs would be better than what is available in the market at the cost of Rs 700 and will serve the purpose of a 14 watt CFL," said Sharma

The state will set up 50 distributing centers in Sangam city, located on the premises of power substations and some in public places. An internet system is set up to ensure consumers do not purchase beyond the set state and city’s quota, and keeps track of the amount of the light bulbs purchased, said Sharma.

The bulbs will have a warranty of three years and a life span over 10 years.