Bhubaneswar, January 11: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday launched the 'Ama Ghare LED' scheme, under which about 95 lakh families in the state will each get four LED bulbs free of cost. Patnaik said the LED bulbs (9-watt each) will be distributed to the beneficiaries registered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSC).

Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said people in rural areas use incandescent or CFL bulbs due to non-availability of quality LED bulbs at a reasonable price, and as a result, are forced to pay higher electricity bills. Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) will be implementing the scheme and the bulbs will be distributed through camps and PDS outlets across the state, Sharma said. Naveen Patnaik Announces Free Smartphones For Self-Help Groups in Odisha, Move to Benefit 70 Lakh Women.

The beneficiaries will have to produce their bio-metric authentication in order to avail the benefits of the scheme. Energy Minister Sushant Singh said the LED project will help curb high-watt consumption. Odisha requires about 3.8 crore LED bulbs for the purpose.