Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for making energy conservation through the spread of Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, a people's movement.

Mr Modi said, it is much more economical to conserve power, than to produce it.

He was speaking at a function in New Delhi to launch national programmes for LED for street lighting and home lighting to reduce the energy consumption.

The Prime Minister said involvement of celebrities and eminent citizens in these programmes can motivate people to adopt LED bulbs.

Suggesting innovative ways to generate awareness and spread the message of energy efficiency, Mr Modi said, gifts like diaries and calendars on New Year should be replaced by LEDs and companies could distribute these bulbs along with dividend payments.

The Prime Minister also launched a web-based system to enable consumers in Delhi to register requests for procuring LED bulbs under Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme. Consumers can register either through the programme website www.eeslindia.org/Delhi-Launch or by sending an SMS to a designated number.

In Delhi, two LED lights will be distributed at a payment of ten rupees each and the balance amount of about 120 rupees each will be recovered from electricity bill over a year.

The LED based lights will help in reducing energy consumption by 88 per cent compared to a normal bulb.

The scheme will benefit all domestic consumers in the city. It will result in annual saving of energy by about 24 crore units every year.

Households in the city will save about 162 rupees per year in electricity bill with the lights. Distribution of LED bulbs will start from 1st of March.

Power Minister Piyush Goyal and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung were present on the occasion.