One CFL bulb free for every ordinary bulb you bring in

Call it an election gimmick or a desperate attempt to win over people but the municipal corporation has decided to earn at least carbon credits by giving free CFL bulbs to Delhiites.

Call it an election gimmick or a desperate attempt to win over people but the municipal corporation has decided to earn at least carbon credits by giving free CFL bulbs to Delhiites.

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With municipal elections slated for February 2012, the civic agency is leaving no stone unturned to appease voters and has decided to replace ordinary bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs.

The Standing Committee of the MCD in its budget session on Thursday announced that it will supply CFL bulbs to residents across the city so that they will have to pay smaller electricity bills. The civic agency has earmarked a budget of R10 crore for this and has said that the budget can be expanded if need be.

"This will also help reduce carbon emissions. Under the scheme, people will be able to get their bulbs replaced with a CFL bulb for free," said Yogender Chandolia, chairman of MCD’s standing committee.

The civic agency said a number of private companies will supply CFL bulbs at a cheaper rate to promote their companies. People will be able to get these CFL bulbs free of cost from April onwards. However, the free bulbs are a one-time 'gift'.

A majority of people still use ordinary bulbs, as they are a cheaper alternative. The civic agency said that the final system of how to distribute these bulbs is still being chalked out.

"We might give one bulb per family member or else one bulb per room. These aspects are yet to be finalised," added Chandolia.