CFL scheme finally ready to take off, firms line up
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09/07/2008
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Indian Express (Chandigarh)
Three months after Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal mooted the Rs 80-crore energy saving Atal Bijli Bachat Yojana, envisaging free distribution of CFLs, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board is finally ready to introduce the scheme. Yesterday, HPSEB top officials finalised the tender documents to start bulk purchase of compact fluorescent lamps directly from the manufacturing firms. At least eight leading CFL manufacturers have already shown interest to supply lamps as per specifications of the state government. In all, the HPSEB will distribute more than 70 lakh bulbs free in a packet of four each for every domestic consumer in the state. The firm, says HPSEB chairman Ajay Mittal, will be required to supply the lamps in standarised packing up to the sub-divisional level. "The state government has fixed a target of December 25 for completion of the scheme and by that time, we propose to cover all domestic households under the scheme. There have been strict terms fixed for the supply firms. Only those who meet the parameters