Mangaluru : Mescom consumers in Dakshina Kannada, who want to get their defective LED bulbs replaced or exchanged or buy new ones, will have to wait at least till April. The entity supplying these bulbs has run out of stocks and it is yet to procure fresh stocks.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) said it has placed fresh orders from companies that were awarded the tender, which saw participation of both local as well as international brands.

Several citizens of Dakshina Kannada have, since at least four months, been frequenting Mangalore One and Mescom offices in order to buy new LEDs or get their older defunct ones replaced. These LED bulbs carry a warranty of three years. With EESL having suspended the supply of LEDs to Mangaluru months ago, users feel they have been left in the lurch.

The government, though EESL, supplies 9 watt bulbs, each costing Rs 70.

“We have not been able to supply LEDs to Mangaluru for quite some time now. We have received complaints and we are completely aware of the situation. However, we hope to resolve the issue soon. We have placed orders for new supplies and expect the consignment delivered by the second week of March. Soon after, we will be sending a consignment to Mangaluru to address the existing issues and also introduce LEDs to new customers,” a representative from EESL told.

According to the data available with EESL, Dakshina Kannada is the third largest consumer of LEDs, only next to Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru. Of the total 2,20,11,401 bulbs distributed by EESL across the state, as many as 20,19,372 have been consumed by Dakshina Kannada accounting for over 9% of the total sales.

Bengaluru Urban has so far distributed 77,03,788 LEDs while Mysuru has purchased 23,33,108 LEDs. As per the data, Belagavi is the fourth largest consumer with 13,19,402 LEDs being sold in the district.