Govt to make CFL cheaper

NEW DELHI: The government would make energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) available at the cost of normal bulbs for BPL households by the end of next month, a BEE official said on Tuesday.

"We are in the process of finalising the pricing mechanism that would be out by next week after which we hope to implement the initiative by July-end," Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Director Ajay Mathur said.

The Power Ministry has made a proposal in this regard last month and BEE was entrusted with the task of fixing a price mechanism in consultation with other stake holders, Mathur said, adding, the government is not planning to give any subsidy for this.

Initially, the bureau would start the programme in only "some localities" and would implement it in the whole nation in phases, he said.

Under the initiative, the government proposes to make CFLs available at a lower cost for below poverty line (BPL) household use as part of its initiative toward energy conservation.

The government plans to make use of CFLs mandatory in a few years. Some state governments, including Delhi, have already made it compulsory for commercial establishments.

CFLs are about eighty per cent more energy efficient than normal incandescent lamps but are about eight times costlier.