Karnataka government’s decision to make Sandalwood actress and former MP Ramya as the brand ambassador for its LED lighting project on Monday has drawn flak from opposition party.
The state government, which is set to formally announce the launch of the LED project in tie up with Central government’s project, has chosen two brand ambassadors - actor Puneeth Rajkumar and Ramya, according to TNIE.
BJP is against the decision to bring Ramya as brand ambassador as she might run for Council election and they feel it is to step up Ramya’s political image.
TNIE quoted BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje saying,” How can the government project a politician of the ruling party as the brand ambassador for a government programme?”
In October, The Hindu reported saying that Karnataka’s Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar decided to launch a scheme distribution of LED bulbs under the domestic efficient lighting programme in the State in January. He took inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Prakash Path” project, which is also set to launch in January.
The project is expected to conserve about 800 to 1,000 MW power. Under the scheme the fluorescent bulbs, tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be replaced by LED bulbs. It will not only save 50 per cent of power that is being consumed currently but consumers will see a drastic reduction on their monthly electricity bill.
The bulbs will be sold at a subsidised cost.
The Hindu reported that 10 bulbs of 9 volts each at a cost of Rs. 90 a bulb will provided to all domestic consumers and the amount will be recovered from their monthly electricity bill.
The bulbs will carry a government seal to stop people from reselling them.
This is an aggregated report from The New Indian Express
Imaeg:
Ramya: Facebook page
Shobha: By User:Divyabandodkar (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons