The Indian government has rolled out numerous large scaled LED bulb distribution projections across the nation, but not all Indian consumers are warming up to the low-priced bulbs, according to a report from The Deccan Herald.
It has been four weeks since the Karnataka state government in India rolled out the low-priced bulbs, but sales are yet to pick up. Sales are actually better in Mysuru.
Under the scheme, domestic consumers with up to 2kW capacity are given five bulbs in Bescom, CESC and Mescom areas. Those with an energy consumption exceeding 2kW can receive up to 10 bulbs.
About 70% of domestic consumers have a sanctioned load of less than 2kW, said SN Mohan, Manager (Technical), EESL.
Consumers in Bengaluru have many reservations about purchasing LED bulbs at low prices, and are concerned about the warranty, quality, lifetime and the brightness of the bulbs. But these buyers usually return after purchasing their first bulbs.
There are also a few bulk buyers in Bengaluru including 33 vendors in Bengaluru and 43 in Mysuru, he added.
However, one of the residents pointed out the bulbs were being sold in unsealed covers, which made him concerned that the bulbs might burst or fail to light up after purchase.
Another consumer from Jayanagar was curious about the differences between government sold bulb features from those available on the open market, except for the price.
Other residents complained that the LED bulbs were not easily accessible across Bengaluru since only a few centers were selling the bulbs.
About 491,000 LED bulbs were sold in the state as of Jan. 13, 2016, and 331,000 in areas under the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation and just 160,000 in areas under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), said an Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL) official, a joint venture of public sector undertakings of the Union Ministry of Power.
The LED bulb scheme is being distributed in five different districts including Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and others. The consumer base under CESC is an estimated 8 million.
In Bengaluru city alone the estimated consumer base is 6.5 million, and the total consumer base in Bescom area, which covers Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur and others combined is 30 million.
