Not to be published/broadcast before 4th August, 2008

         A diverse developing society such as ours provides numerous challenges in the economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental arenas. All of these coalesce in the dominant imperative of alleviation of mass poverty, reckoned in the multiple dimensions of livelihood security, health care, education, empowerment of the disadvantaged, and elimination of gender disparities. Across the political spectrum of the country there has been recognition of the vital role natural resources play in providing livelihoods, and securing life support ecological services. In this perspective a need for a comprehensive policy to environmental management is required so as to save our environment for the generations to come.
          In an initiative to preserve the fragile hill environment and to optimally utilize the fast depleting natural resources, The State Government has come up with a unique scheme. Christened in the name of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, "Atal Bijili Bachat Yajna", aims energy conservation by using eco-friendly light equipments called Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) for domestic use.    This scheme has been named after Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a token of love and affection he had showered upon the State and its people. Since the people in Himachal Pradesh are not in a position to purchase these high cost CFLs. this scheme is being launched throughout the State from 15th August, 2008.   All the 16 Lacs domestic consumers would be provided 4 lamps each free of cost as replacement of incandescent lamps under this scheme.   The scheme is being implemented through State Electricity Board.  Initial funding to the tune of Rs 70 crore has been made to the Board.
         Presently, most of the households are using the incandescent lamps which are very cheap costing Rs 10 to 15 per bulb but consume more electrical energy.  Since significant advancement has been made in lighting and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are in the market which are highly energy efficient and provides better quality of light than the incandescent lamps.  The energy conservation not only save our natural resources but shall also lessen the Global Warming effect due to emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
         The life of these lamps is about 6000 hours whereas incandescent lamps work for 1000 to 3000 hours.  But the Compact fluorescent lamps could not find penetration in usage in the General Public because they are much more costly than the incandescent lamps.  A CFL costs about Rs. 120, whereas the incandescent lamp is costing Rs 10 to Rs 15.
         After installation of these CFL bulbs, consumer shall be benefited by reduction of their energy bill to the tune of 30 to 40 % per month.  Total electrical energy saving is anticipated to the extent of 270 MU which is equivalent to installation of one Hydel Project of 70 MW capacity.  In financial terms this shall avoid investment of approx. Rs. 420 crores.   This reduction in energy usages due to installation of CFL would reduce the import of costly thermal power by 270 MU per annum and thus shall   avoid carbon emission in the atmosphere to the extent of 188496 MT Co2.  The project shall also be eligible for earning Carbon Credit under Clean Development Mechanism as per Kyoto protocol.
         A compact fluorescent lamp can fit in the existing light fixtures formerly used for incandescent. These bulbs have been lauded by environmentalists because they require far less electrical power than their incandescent counterparts. A 26-watt CFL bulb produces the same lumens as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. While the purchase price of an integrated CFL is typically 3 to 10 times greater than that of an equivalent incandescent lamp, the extended lifetime (fewer lamps to replace and reduced labor) and lower energy use will compensate for the higher initial cost in many applications.
         CFLs radiate a different light spectrum from that of incandescent lamps. Improved phosphor formulations have improved the subjective color of the light emitted by CFLs such that the best 'soft white' CFLs available  are subjectively similar in color to standard incandescent lamps.
       CFLs are extremely cost-effective in commercial buildings. Since compact fluorescent uses less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp, they decrease energy consumption and the environmental effects of electric power generation. Where electricity is largely produced from burning fossil fuels, the savings reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants; in other areas the reduction may help reduce negative impacts from radioactive waste, hydroelectric plants, or other sources.