UP: LED bulbs, SIM cards fitted in electronic devices create a scare in Kaushambi

PRAYAGRAJ: The entire police machinery, including sleuths of intelligence agencies and Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), were on their toes in neighbouring district of Kaushambi on Thursday to verify the LED bulbs attached to an electronic device (data capture device) that created an alarm among some power consumers.
LED bulbs attached to electronic devices with a SIM card were installed in selected houses in Bharwari town of Kaushambi district.
The villagers, after becoming suspicious over the installation of LED bulbs attached to an electronic device fitted with a SIM card and data captured device, immediately contacted the police authorities.
However, initial police investigations revealed that the electronic device is meant to read actual power consumption, efficiency and provide carbon credit study. The SIM inside the device is attached to a central server to read out actual consumption and carbon emission.
The scare started after LED bulbs were given to two families in Bharwari town of Kaushambi district under the Gramin Ujala Yojna three days back.
When a house owner noticed that the LED bulbs continued to illuminate despite being switched off, he contacted the nearest electrician to find out the reason. When the electrician opened the electronic device and spotted a SIM and a chip-cum-circuit inside it, he became suspicious and alerted the house owner who then contacted the senior police officers.
IG Prayagraj range KP Singh said, “Thorough investigations are underway and ATS has also sent the device to Lucknow for examination. Initial investigation has revealed that the distribution of LED bulbs along with the electronic device was taken up in four districts of eastern UP, including Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Bhadohi and Mirzapur. The LED bulbs attached to special electronic devices were given to selected power consumers, specially those paying their electricity bills on time.”
He added that the scheme was in fact launched by the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) among the people living in rural areas. They were provided LED bulbs at a cost of Rs 10 with the objective to bring energy efficiency in rural areas.
The IG said that the LED bulb attached to the electronic device was built by a Pune company and its installation and distribution was done by a private group in villages of eastern UP.
The device attached to the LED bulb will help study power efficiency and carbon emission. The scheme will reduce carbon emission and people of rural areas will be aware of energy efficiency. “Things would become clearer when the investigations are completed,” said IG.