The government is all set to launch the power-efficient LED lamps as per the Load-Shedding Minimising Work Plan-2069.
The cabinet has decided to exempt VAT and Custom in importing the Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lamps, said Ministry of Energy Spokesperson Anup K Upadhyaya, adding that the Ministry of Finance will most probably implement the tax exemption within two weeks as per the work plan.
According to him, LED lamps are ten times more power efficient than the normal lamps.
Although the initial costs are high, they have long service life and high energy efficiency than those of fluorescent and other CFL lamps, he said. "Four watt LED lamps generate light equal to 15 watts of CFL and 70 watts of normal lamp," added Upadhyaya.
The LED lamps also produce low heat than the normal lamps.
They have 60000 hours service life compared to 8000 hours of the fluorescent and 1000 hours of normal lamps.
The LED lamps are imported from China and India at present.
According to Him-electronics, LED lamp seller made in China, 1 watt ceiling LED lamp costs Rs 710. Likewise, 3 Watt ceiling lamp costs Rs 865, 5W ceiling lamp costs Rs 2250 and LED bulb of 5 Watt costs Rs 905.
The government has levied 13 per cent vat and 15 per cent custom tax in the purchase of LED lamps.
Senior executive of Him Electronic Prakash Thapa said such lamps have five to seven times longer life than normal CFL lamps.
