DHAKA: The government Saturday started distributing compact florescent lamp (CFL) bulbs to house owners for free under a countrywide operation as a measure for healing a nagging power crisis.

To start with, the government set a target of handing out some 55 lakh of the energy-saving bulbs in 27 districts, including the capital, Dhaka, on the first day of the drive.

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) is implementing the project titled ‘Efficient Lighting Initiative for Bangladesh’.

Anyone can collect the CFL bulbs from the distributors at any booth showing the latest paid electricity bills and incandescent bulbs as proofs of eligibility.

Meanwhile, some tenants in city’s Sheorapara area alleged that only house-owners got the CFL bulbs.

Shahidul Haque, a tenant in West Sheprapara area, said 16 families live in their five-storied building and pay the electricity bills regularly. But the bills come under the owner’s name.

“The house-owners do not give us copies of the paid bills. And they have been seen collecting government-given CFL bulb showing the tenants’ bills,” he alleged.

BDST 1630HRS.June19, 2010
MZ/LY/MUA