Action on Subsidised LED Distribution

Based on your participation in polls and discussion on subsidised LED bulb distribution, LocalCircles has taken the next step of creating broader awareness. Below is the same, shared via print media:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/less-light-of-subsidised-led-bulbs-survey/article9070835.ece

Also, attached is the insightful breakdown by state.
Soon we will be taking this to the key stakeholders in Ministry of Power so actions can be taken by them to fix the existing gaps in the process based on your inputs.

Below are the key issues and solutions as identified by you to make the distribution of subsidized LED bulbs effective. Kindly review and share any additional inputs you have towards this.

We look forward to your inputs!

Improving Distribution of Subsidised LEDs – Solutions

1.The process of getting the subsidised LEDs should be properly defined
2.This process should be displayed on the bill payment counters
3.Ministry of Power should ensure via state utility body that the process is identical in every city and state
4.Ministry of Power should ensure that they have direct citizen contact in every district for feedback to validate effective distribution
5.Ministry of Power must ensure that there are no leakages of subsidized bulbs in the open market through an audit and compliance process
6.All the subsidised bulbs should be marked with a unique identification with marking “subsidized LED” so that they cannot be sold at general electrical shops from the back doors.
7.Prompt replacement of these bulbs should be done if they stop working within the stipulated time
8.The power department should put up stalls in different areas across the country to distribute these bulbs
9.RWAs should give them free space to put up stalls for distribution of subsidised LED bulbs in their colony
10.The customer helpline number printed on the bulbs should be properly manned from 9am to 6pm
11.Advertisement about such schemes should be done via digital and radio/print media in regional languages also
12.Ministry of Power must give some advertising/outreach budget at district levels to spread awareness to citizens
13.District Magistrates should also supervise the execution of such a program in addition to the State Utility body.
14. Government may issue instructions to Electric Supply Licensees to provide LED bulbs to consumers at their homes
15.All the electricity department offices should have a dedicated desk for LED bulb distribution
16.The stockists should be asked to make sure that the bulbs do not go out of stock every second day.

Issues with Subsidized LED distribution process:

1.It is very cumbersome to get the LED bulbs
2.The quality of the bulbs is not up to the mark
3.Some subsidized LED bulbs conk off within a few days
4.Subsidized LEDs land up at electrical shops and get sold at normal prices
5.Whenever one goes to pay the bill and asks for the bulbs, they are told to be out of stock
6.The customer helpline number given on the bill is mostly non functional
7.Many of the available units look fake
8.Many government ads are broadcasted in Hindi even in cities like Chennai and people don’t understand it
9.Bulbs are being used to get political mileage by some State Governments while they have nothing to do with them
10.Bulbs are being distributed using ineffective methods of a van going in a colony using a loud speaker
11.Majority people have no idea about the process to get the LED bulbs. more