BENGALURU: The state government is going to formally announce the launch of LED lighting project on Monday. However, the move has now raked up a controversy after former MP Ramya was announced as the brand ambassador.
The project, which is being launched in the state in tandem with the Central government’s project, has been assigned two brand ambassadors. One of the brand ambassadors is popular actor Puneet Rajkumar.
The BJP has strongly objected to the government’s decision to appoint Ramya as the brand ambassador as she is expected to run for the ensuing Council election.
BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje has termed it as an exercise to boost Ramya’s political image. “How can the government project a politician of the ruling party as the brand ambassador for a government programme?”
LED lighting is expected to save about 800 to 1,000 MW power.
Once the scheme is formally announced, the fluorescent bulbs, tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be replaced by LED bulbs which will save 50 per cent of power being consumed currently and will also help in reducing the electricity bill of the consumers.
The bulbs will be made available to the consumers at a subsidised cost. The current market price of a 9 volt bulb is around `350 to `400 each. The bulbs will carry an embossed government seal to prevent their resale.