The much-touted power saving scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under which consumers can buy LEDs at less than market rates failed to commence from Monday as decided as the energy-saving bulbs didn't reach Ranchi.

Energy Efficiency Services (EES), which was to provide the bulbs under the domestic efficient lighting programme (DELP), and facilitator Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam (JBVNL), the state run power distribution company, will now start selling the bulbs later this week.

EES, promoted by the Union ministry of power, is a joint venture company of four public sector undertakings - National Thermal Power Corporation, Power Finance Corporation, Power Grid Corporation of India and Rural Electrification Corporation.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to consumers. Due to technical glitches, the LED bulbs failed to reach Ranchi. We expect the consignments to reach us in a day or two and are likely to start distributing them later this week. Once distribution begins, it will go on continuously till March next year. We will ensure that there is no midway glitches," Jaideep Sarkar, an EES representative currently in Ranchi, said.

He explained that the consumers wanting to buy LED bulbs would be required to bring their latest electricity bills along with identity proofs in original along with one photo copy of each document.

"We will retain the photo copies and return the original documents. The bulbs will be distributed from Mondays to Saturdays during normal working hours from 10am till 5pm," Sarkar added.

Confusion prevailed at all power substations in Ranchi from where the LEDs were to be given away as consumers started arriving since early morning only to be told that they neither had the bulbs nor any official communication about their distribution.

State energy secretary S.K.G. Rahate expressed surprise when told that LED distribution failed to take off.

"I shall immediately get in touch with power distribution officials to find out what went wrong," Rahate promised.

Soon thereafter, Rishi Nandan, superintending engineer, JBVNL, spoke to this correspondent to explain that due to a delay in getting required clearances, the LED consignments failed to reach Ranchi on time. "We are confident of beginning LED bulb distribution at the earliest, probably from Saturday. We expect the consignments to reach us latest by Thursday," Nandan added.

As per the programme, every JBVNL domestic consumer will be provided a maximum of 10 LED bulbs of 9 watt each at a cost of Rs 105 per bulb, which is much lesser than the prevailing market prices of Rs 250 to Rs 450.

For each LED bulb accepted, consumers will have to pay Rs 10 upfront. The balance can be paid either at the time of delivery or in 10 equal monthly instalments under an on-bill financing payment scheme details of which will appear in their monthly electricity bills.

However, the on-bill option will be limited to three LED bulbs. Those who want more will have to pay the entire cost for them upfront.