NEW DELHI: After the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), the LED bulbs sold by Government Agency Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) under the Ujala scheme will now cost Rs 70.
Earlier, owning to diversity in tax rates in different states, the LEDs were sold between Rs 65 to Rs 70. Now under the GST it has been placed in a 12 per cent slab, which has raised its cost by Rs 5.
The Ministry of Energy has said that now the cost of the nine-watt LED bulb will be Rs 70, the 20-watt LED tube light will cost Rs 220 and the 50 watt five star fans will cost Rs 1,200.
Thus, the tube light has become cheaper while the fans are expensive. Under the Ujala scheme, earlier the price of the 20-watt tube lights was Rs 230 and fans at Rs 1,150. Placing the fans in a 28 per cent slab has increased their price.
The Ministry has said if shopkeepers charge more from consumers, then the latter should immediately complain about it on the dashboard of Ujala.They can also complain about EESL’s Twitter account, Facebook or helpline number 18001803580.
The Ujala scheme was launched in January 2015. Its aim was to replace 77 million conventional bulbs with LED bulbs.
So far 24.8 crore LED bulbs, 27.6 lakh tube lights and 10 lakh fans have been distributed in 28 states, according to an official spokesperson here today. (AGENCIES)
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