After winning the contract to supply 50 million LED bulbs under the government’s UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) scheme in September, Phillips India has started providing the first few tranches of bulbs now– most of them, however, have been “Made in China”.
This has come at a time when there have been various vociferous campaigns on the social media seeking a complete boycott of Chinese-made products in India. Philips India had won the contract in September this year to supply 50 million 9-Watt LED bulbs to the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), the central government company that is implementing the UJALA scheme, within 150 days for Rs 38 per bulb. Under UJALA scheme, EESL first gives out a contract to private firm (or firms) to provide certain amount of bulbs.
Once those bulbs are obtained, they are given to government distribution firms across states. When a consumer goes to the distribution office to pay his bill, he can purchase these LED bulbs that are priced way below the market rate. Currently, Phillip’s 9-Watt LED bulbs are available in the range of Rs 130-190 a piece.
By Shruti
