Incentives to collect used CFLs: DHBVN

Chandigarh, Jul 6: The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) is mooting an incentive scheme to collect the old unbroken burnt or used compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) as these contain very small quantaties of mercury which can be harmful to the enviornment.

Besides DHBVN will also collect used tube lights, burnt or unburnt unbroken incandescent bulbs and unburnt T-12 tube lights for proper disposal so that they are not harmful to environment.

Stating this here today Mr Vijayendra Kumar, Managing Director, DHBVN said that CFL contains a small quantity of mercury, about five milligrams sealed within the glass tubing which is irreplaceable being a efficient light source. Though it is much less than the mercury released in the environment by burning coal to generate the extra electricity consumed by an incandescent bulb, however, even its small quantity is harmful for environment if CFLs are not disposed off properly, he poimted out.

Mr Kumar said that the drive launched by the DHBVN to persuade consumers to use energy efficient lighting like (CFLs) has been fruitful and it has converted 708 villages and urban localities.

During the month of July, 45 additional villages would be declared 100 per cent CFL villages.

He said that CFL is not only power saver but it is also an environment friendly lighting appliance as it produce 70 per cent less heat than standard incandescent bulb and consumes 70 per cent less electricity.

He further disclosed that the Nigam has reintroduced the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) of unauthorized extension of load that will remain operative up to July 31.

The VDS is meant for the consumers of the categories of domestic, non-domestic, agriculture and industries in rural as well as urban areas and is a golden opportunity for getting regularized the irregularity committed by them, without paying any penalty. He said that as per law, unauthorized extension of load was an offence equal to theft of electricity and invites imposition of penalty.

UNI