GRAM UJALA

March 21, 2021

Union Minister of Power launched the GRAM UJALA programme in Arrah, Bihar.

About:

  • Under the programme, 7 watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working Incandescent bulbs.

  • LEDs will be available for only Rs 10 each for each household, in exchange for working condition old incandescent lamps. Each household will get up to 5 LEDs.

  • In the first phase of this programme, 15 million (1.5 crore) LED bulbs will be distributed across villages of Aarah (Bihar), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), and village in western Gujarat.

  • The Gram Ujala programme will be implemented in villages of the 5 districts only.

  • These rural households will also have metres installed in their houses to account for usage.

Carbon Credit

  • Gram Ujala programme will be financed entirely through carbon credits and will be the first such programme in India.

  • carbon credit documentation will be sent to UN accredited validators for inclusion into the Shine Program of activities.

  • Carbon credits will be prepared under the Shine Program of Activities with an option for verifying under the Voluntary Carbon Standard, depending on the needs of buyers.

  • Carbon Credit Buyers will also be sought through an open process based on initial discussions with the market. The balance cost and margin on the LED cost will be recouped through the carbon credits earned.