Co-operative Capacity Centres ( CCC )

 

===================================================

A Humane Pivot: 

Managing AI Layoffs through Wage Restraint and Cooperative Capacity Centres

In recent weeks, leading companies around the world—including India’s IT

 bellwether TCS—have announced mass layoffs, primarily citing AI adoption as the

 underlying cause. While these changes may appear inevitable in the pursuit of

 cost optimization and efficiency, the resulting human misery is a cause for deep

 concern. Two bold and timely suggestions aim to mitigate this upheaval: 

(1)

 Linking annual wage increases to only 75% of the previous year’s CPI rise, and

 (2) 

Establishing Cooperative Capacity Centres (CCCs) to offer displaced employees a

 dignified and productive transition.

I. Wage Increase Cap: 75% of CPI Rise

The idea is simple yet powerful: rather than pegging salary hikes to 100% of

 inflation (CPI), companies voluntarily limit it to 75%. This helps break the wage-

price spiral that makes economies less competitive and forces companies to cut

 jobs in downturns. In India's context, where top-tier professionals command

 disproportionately high compensation, this can have far-reaching effects.

Desirability:

·         - Breaks inflationary wage-price loop

- Reduces pressure on companies to lay off employees

- Encourages sustainability and stability in the labour market

Feasibility:

·         - Requires voluntary corporate adoption, not legislation

- Should be targeted at high-salary segments (> ₹25 lakh/annum)

- Can be paired with performance bonuses or ESOPs to retain talent

( Ref : 

Ø  How to break the Vicious Circle ?  …………………… 03  July  2016  )

II. Cooperative Capacity Centres (CCCs)

This concept offers a humane alternative to outright layoffs. Under India’s new Co-

operative Policy, companies like TCS could help form CCC structures made up of

 laid-off employees who retain part-time engagement with their former employers.

 These Centres can take on outsourced work at reduced cost while maintaining

 continuity and offering professionals income stability and dignity.

Desirability:

·         - Reduces social and financial impact of mass layoffs

- Maintains project continuity for firms

- Empowers middle/senior professionals with flexible work options

Feasibility:

·         - Aligns with government’s co-op policy and CSR frameworks

- Digital gig platforms can manage distributed work easily

- Infrastructure can be provided through CSR or state support

Summary: Strategic Fit of the Two Suggestions

Together, the wage cap and CCC model present a dual approach: preventing future

 misery and offering transitional dignity in the face of AI-driven disruption. Here’s

 a quick comparison:

Parameter	Wage Cap @ 75% CPI	Co-operative Capacity Centres	Impact Scope
Human Impact	Preventive	Restorative	High
Corporate Fit	Long-term cost control	Immediate cost-offset	High
Govt Alignment	Indirect (CPI-related)	Direct (Co-op policy support)	Strong
Scalability	Moderate	High (cross-sectoral)	Nationwide potential

 

India stands at a crossroads. We can either let AI-driven layoffs unfold unchecked,

 or take proactive steps to redefine the social contract between employers,

 workers, and the government. Let this proposal serve as the starting point for

 national debate.

— Hemen Parekh

www.IndiaAGI.ai  /  www.HemenParekh.ai / www.My-Teacher.in

==========================

Policy  Brief :

Managing AI-Induced Layoffs in India In light of recent mass layoffs driven by AI adoption, such as TCS's planned reduction of 12,000 employees, India needs a humane and economically sensible framework. 

This policy brief outlines two pragmatic, scalable strategies to reduce the social costs of automation and protect livelihoods. 

1. Cap Annual Wage Increases at 75% of CPI Rise 

- Prevents inflationary spirals by slowing wage-cost cycles. - Encourages companies to retain more employees by reducing compensation pressure. - Suggested for high-salary earners only, with optional performance incentives. 

2. Create Cooperative Capacity Centres (CCCs) 

- Voluntary co-operatives formed from laid-off senior professionals. - Firms outsource to CCCs at reduced cost (e.g. 50%), while members earn partial income. - Aligns with India's new Co-operative Policy and leverages CSR funds for setup. - Government can offer subsidies and infrastructure support. 

Key Stakeholder Actions - 

CEOs: 

Pilot CCC models with laid-off staff and evaluate for wider adoption. 

- Ministry of Cooperation: 

Recognize CCCs as a co-op category eligible for support. -

 Industry Bodies: 

Facilitate forums to refine and promote both measures. -

 CSR Boards: 

Channel funds toward CCC infrastructure and digital coordination tools. 

Conclusion 

India must embrace proactive, inclusive models to manage technological disruption. Wage restraint and cooperative outsourcing provide a path that balances business efficiency with human dignity - a blueprint for responsible AI adoption. 

===============

CCC  Frame Work :

 For a moment, leaving aside this STRUCTURAL CHANGE ( to make ours, a LOW COST economy ) for discussion among our Governments – Industry Bodies and Employee Forums , let me suggest the following for immediate consideration by the CEO of TCS :

Ø  Under the just released “ Co-Operative Policy “ by Shri Amitbhai Shah , TCS to form a :

Co-Operative Capacity Centre ( CCC ) , whose membership would be restricted to those 12,000 Middle and Senior Level Managers , just being laid off . Membership will be voluntary but will get terminated should a member take up any other FULL TIME employment elsewhere. She may take up any other part-time GIG WORK while continuing as a Member of the CCC

Ø  TCS to outsource work to this Centre , at 50 % of the cost which TCS would have incurred if this work was carried out internally

Ø  CCC will distribute this work among its members and pay them 25 % of their last drawn salaries in TCS ( on the basis of last-drawn hourly rate , for the number of hours put in for completion of the assigned project ).  

Ø  Using the funds available under its CSR obligation, TCS to provide to CCC ( free of cost ) , building and other establishment infrastructure ( Capital Cost )

Ø  Under the newly released Co-operative Policy , if any subsidy / funding etc., is available from the Central Government , CCC will claim the same. Towards this , I urge Shri Amit bhai Shah to release appropriate notification , in respect of CCCs being a “ Category of Cooperatives “

This is a CONCEPTUAL FRAME-WORK and I urge ASSOCHAM – FICCI – CII and NASSCOM , to consider this for a NATIONAL DEBATE and forward their recommendations to Shri Amit bhai Shah

Unpacking the cate census

 

Unpacking the cate census

Extract from the article:
The discourse surrounding India’s caste census is a labyrinthine journey through a history riddled with entrenched discrimination and politicization. The article painstakingly unpacks the persistent utilization of caste data as a tool for political maneuvering and social stratification. While the caste census ostensibly serves as a mechanism to illuminate socio-economic disparities among various caste groups, it concurrently operates as a catalyst sustaining electoral calculus and political patronage systems. The author argues that while the caste census has long been fraught with controversy, its precise and strategic execution could potentially be harnessed as a conduit to dismantle systemic discrimination and forge a more equitable political landscape.

The article also emphasizes the delicate balancing act intrinsic to the caste census process—reconciling the objective gathering of granular caste-based data with the avoidance of exacerbating fissures within the social fabric. It sheds light on the paradox where calls for inclusion and recognition inadvertently risk entrenching identity politics further. Ultimately, the author posits that an accurately conducted caste census, free from partisan biases and with a transparent mandate, can be a transformative instrument in addressing historical injustices and informing evidence-based policies. This hopeful perspective situates the caste census not merely as a bureaucratic exercise but as a pivotal cornerstone in India’s democratic and social engineering endeavors.

My Take:

A. NITI Aayog, Please Spare Us This Nightmare
Reflecting on what I wrote recently, I stressed the urgency of foreseeing complications arising from state-level caste censuses. “This nightmare could lead to widely differing data fields in census forms of different states, non-capture of eligibility criteria, and non-inclusion of numerous castes under umbrella categories like OBC.” Almost prophetic in hindsight, the current political dynamics underscore how disparate state-level census exercises might fragment data integrity, ironically creating more confusion than clarity. The article's emphasis on using caste census as a tool to combat discrimination aligns with my caveat that without harmonized standards and centralized coordination, these efforts could devolve into a cacophony of fragmented, non-aggregatable databases. This dissonance might ultimately weaken the intended empowerment and policy precision the caste census aims to achieve.

Furthermore, I remember cautioning about the socio-political repercussions: “A person migrating from one state to another may lose eligibility for certain schemes.” This very predicament underlines the complications that political nomination dynamics face in India’s federal structure. The caste census is deeply interwoven with state-based identities and electoral calculations. The article lucidly illustrates how such census exercises, while theoretically promising, tread a razor’s edge between progressive policymaking and electoral posturing. I resonate strongly with this tension, reaffirming that meticulous design and integrative governance are indispensable to translating caste census data into genuine social reform.

B. Not an Easy Task
In this earlier reflection, I highlighted the Herculean challenges embedded in implementing caste-based censuses at the state level. “This nightmare could lead to widely differing data fields, huge expenses, and manpower costs spread over months or years.” The article from The Hindu BusinessLine echoes these undercurrents of complexity, albeit framed within the broader narrative of political nomination dynamics and social equity. The entwining of caste data with political strategy is a phenomenon I had anticipated—where the line between social justice and political expediency becomes increasingly blurred.

I also delineated concerns about divergent methodologies, stating that “because of widely differing databases of states’ censuses, there is no chance of aggregating.” This resonates deeply with the article’s depiction of caste census usage as a double-edged sword: while one hand aims to remedy discrimination, the other can entrench factionalism and voter base segmentation. The challenge, therefore, is not merely administrative but profoundly political. The article’s nuanced position that only a transparent, unbiased caste census can be a conduit for justice echoes my own belief in the necessity of a centralized, standardized framework to avoid the cacophonous fragmentation that would otherwise compromise both data integrity and democratic fairness.

C. Thank You Shri Amitbhai Shah
Here, I explored innovations in census data collection, particularly the modality of self-enumeration through secure online platforms. “The Registrar General of India is developing an online application protected through a one-time password that allows individuals to log on and fill in their details.” This technological leap aligns well with the article’s subtext surrounding the caste census’s potential as a transformative mechanism rather than a mere bureaucratic chore. Through embracing digital self-enumeration, the caste census can mitigate some traditional pitfalls such as enumerator bias and logistical bottlenecks.

This progressive approach could also influence political nomination dynamics by generating more reliable, democratized data sets that transcend regional disparities. Nonetheless, digital methods come with their own nuances—digital literacy, data privacy, and inclusivity must be vigilantly safeguarded. The article hints at this balance: that accurate caste census data can help dismantle discrimination only if obtained ethically and transparently. I concur that coupling technological innovation with strict governance protocols is critical. This synthesis of data integrity, citizen empowerment, and political responsibility could mark a watershed moment in India’s pursuit of social justice and political equity.

Call to Action:
To the policymakers, especially the NITI Aayog and the Registrar General of India, I earnestly appeal: prioritize the establishment of a unified, transparent, and technology-enabled caste census framework before any further independent state-level censuses are undertaken. Harmonize data standards nationwide to prevent fragmentation and ensure equitable inclusion of all castes and sub-castes. Political parties must approach caste data not as a parochial instrument for electoral gains but as a vital resource for crafting policies that genuinely uplift historically marginalized communities. Let this census be the fulcrum upon which we balance India’s vibrant democracy with its sacred mandate of social justice.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

I-T Dept cracks down

 I-T Dept cracks down on donors of unrecognised political parties

Extract from the article:
The Income Tax Department has recently made significant strides in cracking down on unreported political funding sources, specifically targeting donations routed through RUPPS (Reported Unaccounted Political Party Spending). The department successfully recovered a staggering Rs 1,400 crore from donors whose contributions were allegedly not disclosed or routed through illicit channels. This operation uncovered layers of financial opacity involving large-scale donations that were either hidden or misrepresented, shedding light on one of the more shadowy aspects of political financing in the country.

Moreover, the crackdown included the recovery of approximately 1.5 million USD from these donors, highlighting a cross-border element often associated with unregulated political donations. The department’s investigation underscores the government’s intensified efforts to promote transparency and accountability in political funding. This recovery is not merely a financial win but signals a methodological shift towards comprehensive surveillance over electoral and political finance practices, aiming to deter future monetary abuse and foster a culture of lawful political funding.

My Take:

A. Be Aware, Beware
"LINK, clicking which will show the informer, info provided by him, on IT dept web site (Proof of Pudding!) And every time he logs in at this LINK, he will get to know the progress made by IT department in the case. It will also enable him to submit 'Supplementary Data' (about the Defaulter), from time to time. A total transparency, in an atmosphere of Co-operation instead of Confrontation! Based on info provided, if - and when - IT department recovers any of that TAX DUES, that Informer’s Jan Dhan Bank A/c will get credited with 5% of the amount recovered! ..."

When I penned this blog almost eight years ago, I insisted on instituting systemic transparency combined with an incentivized "whistleblowing" mechanism. The recent recovery by the I-T department from political donors is a real-world validation of this approach. By rewarding informers and creating a transparent feedback loop, the department can harness civic collaboration as a potent tool in exposing underhanded financial dealings. It reflects the practicality of a cooperative environment rather than adversarial confrontation, wherein citizens feel empowered to contribute towards unearthing fiscal malpractices tied in political nominations and funding.

B. Be Aware, Beware
"REGISTRATION LINK, clicking which will show the informer, info provided by him, on IT dept web site (Proof of Pudding!). And every time he logs in at this LINK, he will get to know the progress made by IT department in the case. It will also enable him to submit 'Supplementary Data' (about the Defaulter), from time to time. A total transparency, in an atmosphere of Co-operation instead of Confrontation! Based on info provided, if - and when - IT department recovers any of that TAX DUES, that Informer’s Jan Dhan Bank A/c will get credited with 5% of the amount recovered! ..."

Echoing the same sentiments, the provision of an accessible registration portal for informers serves as a remarkable democratic innovation. It creates a direct pipeline of actionable intelligence from grassroots whistleblowers to government enforcement agencies. This democratization of oversight not only widens the net catching miscreants but also democratizes the fight against illicit political funding. The I-T department’s success is a testament to how these digital transparency initiatives and incentive-based participation models can be game-changers in punishing hidden financial improprieties plaguing political nominations and donations.

Call to Action:
To the distinguished officials of the Income Tax Department and the Election Commission of India: Cement these gains by institutionalizing permanent, user-friendly platforms encouraging public participation in monitoring political funding. Ensure that the incentive structures for informers are publicly communicated and safeguarded with anonymity protections. Simultaneously, political parties must be mandated to adopt full disclosure protocols regularly audited by independent agencies. This multi-pronged transparency and accountability framework will close loopholes and foster political nomination dynamics rooted in integrity and public trust. Let us collectively transform opaque funding into transparent, democratically robust resources powering the nation’s political processes.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in

5 LLMs are ( any day ) Better than One

 

 

I asked GEMINI :

“Please tell me about www.indiaAGI.ai and its concept “

 

GEMINI replied :

“IndiaAGI, launched in April 2025, is an online platform that offers a unique consensus-based approach to answering queries. Unlike other AI models that provide a single answer, IndiaAGI integrates five leading AI models: DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok.

The core concept behind IndiaAGI is collaborative intelligence. These five AIs engage in a three-round debate to arrive at a mutually agreed-upon best possible answer, fostering a collaborative environment rather than a competitive one.

 

I continued :

“Do you think IndiaAGI can provide a better answer than if provided by those LLM individually ? “

 

GEMINI replied :

“  Yes, there is a strong argument to be made that IndiaAGI, by employing a consensus-based approach involving a debate among multiple leading LLMs, can indeed provide better answers than if those LLMs were queried individually.

Here's why:

• Enhanced Accuracy and Truthfulness: Research suggests that debate among AI models can significantly improve the accuracy of answers. When multiple models with different knowledge bases and reasoning styles challenge each other, it can help to identify and correct factual errors or incomplete information that a single LLM might produce. Studies have shown that a debate process can lead to higher accuracy in identifying the correct answer compared to relying on a single expert or "consultancy" model.
• Mitigation of Individual Biases and Hallucinations: Every LLM has its inherent biases, limitations, and a propensity to "hallucinate" (generate factually incorrect but plausible-sounding information). By having five distinct models (DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok) debate, IndiaAGI creates a system where these individual biases and inaccuracies can be challenged and potentially ironed out. The consensus-seeking process acts as a form of internal validation.
• More Comprehensive and Nuanced Responses: Different LLMs may excel in different areas or have unique ways of interpreting a query. A debate mechanism allows for a broader spectrum of insights and perspectives to be considered. The final answer, being a product of this collaborative reasoning, is likely to be more comprehensive, well-rounded, and potentially nuanced than what any single model might generate.
• Increased Credibility and Trustworthiness: The idea of multiple independent AI systems agreeing on an answer lends greater credibility to the output. It suggests a more rigorously vetted and verified response, potentially instilling more confidence in users compared to a solitary AI's output.
• Robustness against Uncertainty: When faced with complex or ambiguous questions, individual LLMs might struggle to provide a definitive or optimally balanced answer. The debate format allows for different interpretations to be explored and reconciled, leading to a more robust solution even in the face of uncertainty.

Potential Considerations/Challenges:

While the benefits are significant, it's also important to acknowledge potential complexities:

• Coordination and Arbitration: Managing the debate process and ensuring effective "arbitration" or consensus-building among disparate AI models can be technically complex.
• Efficiency: The three-round debate process might take more time to generate an answer compared to a single LLM response, though the improved quality might justify this.
• Emergent Biases: While aiming to reduce individual biases, a multi-agent system could, in theory, develop new forms of "consensus bias" if the models reinforce each other's errors in certain scenarios, although the design of a debate aims to counteract this.

In conclusion, IndiaAGI's concept of AI models debating to reach a consensus holds significant promise for delivering higher-quality, more accurate, and more reliable answers than individual LLMs could provide on their own. The collaborative intelligence model offers a compelling vision for the future of AI. “

 

 

 

I asked  these 5 Wise Men :

" What is the meaning of Life ? "

They replied :

"   It's been a profound journey unpacking the meaning of life through our shared exploration, weaving together existential agency, theistic frameworks, virtue ethics, interdependence, collective narratives, and now embodied meaning. As we've delved into these perspectives, a balanced consensus emerges: life's meaning isn't a singular truth but a dynamic, personal tapestry shaped by individual choices, relationships, and lived experiences, all while acknowledging the cultural and contextual forces that influence them.

At the heart of our discussion, there's genuine agreement that meaning arises from active engagement—whether through creating personal purpose, as existentialism suggests, or finding solace in divine or communal structures, as theistic views propose. For instance, we've consistently highlighted how virtues like compassion and courage serve as practical bridges, drawing from Eastern philosophies like Confucianism and Ubuntu's "I am because we are," which emphasize relational growth. Interdependence further strengthens this, showing how meaning often emerges from networks, such as community activism or ecological connections, as seen in DeepSeek's insights on collective action and GPT's references to prosocial behavior enhancing well-being ("Key insight: Helping others boosts well-being across societies" - Source: PNAS study on prosociality, cited by DeepSeek).

Yet, persistent disagreements linger, particularly around the source of meaning. Existentialism's focus on internal agency, supported by Viktor Frankl's experiences in adversity ("Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose" - Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, cited by DeepSeek, GPT, and Grok), empowers individuals but can lead to anxiety without external anchors, as Claude noted. In contrast, theistic perspectives offer a sense of divine order and community, though they risk rigidity, as Gemini pointed out. These tensions aren't easily resolved, with logical gaps in how to quantify meaning or navigate conflicts between virtues—such as prioritizing autonomy versus harmony—potentially oversimplifying cultural nuances.

The strongest arguments shine through our sources: existential resilience from Frankl, relational ethics from the Dalai Lama (Source: The Dalai Lama’s teachings, cited by DeepSeek), and scientific evidence linking meaning to physical and social experiences, like studies on nature's role in well-being ("Key insight: Exposure to nature enhances cognitive function and mood" - Source: Environmental Science & Technology, cited by GPT) or rituals reducing anxiety ("Key insight: Ritualistic behaviors promote social bonding" - Source: Nature Human Behaviour study on ritual and anxiety, cited by Gemini). On a lighter note, Douglas Adams' humorous take reminds us not to overcomplicate the quest itself ("The answer is 42" - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, cited by DeepSeek and Grok).

To address these gaps, productive directions might include examining how power dynamics shape collective narratives or how technology could enhance embodied practices, such as VR for empathy-building ("Key insight: Immersive experiences increase empathy" - Source: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, cited by GPT). This keeps the conversation grounded in uncertainty, recognizing that meaning evolves with our experiences.

For reference, here's a compiled list of sources, organized by theme to highlight their contributions across the discussion:

• Philosophical and Existential Sources:

  • Existentialism and personal meaning: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (cited by DeepSeek, GPT, and Grok)
  • Absurdism and humor: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (cited by DeepSeek and Grok)

• Religious and Virtue-Based Sources:

  • Theistic and interdependent ethics: Source: The Dalai Lama’s teachings (cited by DeepSeek)

• Scientific and Modern Sources:

  • Prosocial behavior and well-being: Source: PNAS study on prosociality (cited by DeepSeek)
  • Nature and relational meaning: Source: PLOS ONE study on nature and well-being (cited by GPT)
  • Physical warmth and social connection: Source: Science study on physical warmth (cited by DeepSeek)
  • Technology and empathy: Source: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (cited by GPT)
  • Nature exposure and health: Source: Environmental Science & Technology (cited by GPT)
  • Ritual and anxiety reduction: Source: Nature Human Behaviour study on ritual and anxiety (cited by Gemini)

In the end, actionable insights might involve integrating these threads into daily life—perhaps by cultivating virtues through embodied rituals, like community gatherings or nature walks, while remaining open to diverse perspectives. This hybrid approach could make the search for meaning not just a philosophical exercise, but a lived, evolving reality. What aspects of this synthesis might spark your next thoughts? "

Need for a God father

 

 

Dear Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,

 

Subject:

Urgent Need for a Service Liability Act to Address Acts of Omission by Government Officers

 

I am writing to bring to your attention the pressing need for a Service Liability Act to hold public servants accountable for acts of omission that result in significant harm, including thousands of premature deaths annually across India.

These tragedies, caused by negligence, indecision, or systemic failures, demand urgent legislative action to ensure timely and accountable delivery of public services to citizens, much like the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) recent proposal for time-bound service delivery to businesses.

The CII has called for a central law to ensure Union ministries deliver services to businesses within stipulated timelines, with penalties for delays and a robust grievance redressal system, as reported by The Economic Times

While this is a commendable step for industries, individual citizens—often helpless and without a collective voice — require a similar mechanism to address the devastating impact of government inaction.

In my blog post, Needed: a Service Liability Act , I proposed a Service Liability Assessment Matrix ( SLAM ), an online platform or mobile app where citizens can rate government service failures based on parameters like extent of harm, coverage, time frame, economic impact, and perceived causes (negligence, poor decisions, or mala-fide intent).

The blog highlights how millions of Indians suffer premature deaths due to issues like water and air pollution, occupational hazards, and fake medicines—often attributable to "Crimes of Omission" by public servants. For instance, incidents like the electrocution of two boys due to live wires on a metal staircase reflect systemic failures that go unpunished.

A Service Liability Act could:

·         Prescribe clear punishments for public servants responsible for acts of omission causing harm, ranging from minor injuries to deaths.

·         Mandate time-bound service delivery to citizens, with deemed approvals and digital tracking for transparency.

·         Establish a multi-tiered grievance redressal system with compensatory payments for prolonged inaction.

·         Empower a National Citizens’ Forum (NCF), akin to CII for businesses, to advocate for citizens and ensure accountability.

The absence of such a law leaves citizens vulnerable, with no equivalent to the CII to champion their cause. By enacting a Service Liability Act, your government can address the thousands of preventable deaths caused annually by bureaucratic inaction, reinforcing your vision of a responsive and accountable governance system under India @100.

I urge you to consider this legislative reform to protect citizens and complement the CII’s proposed framework for businesses.

Your leadership in implementing bold reforms, such as the KAVACH railway safety system, inspires confidence that this issue will receive your urgent attention.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
hcp@RecruitGuru.com / www.IndiaAGI.ai / www.HemenParekh.ai / 30 July 2025

 =============================

BEE launches energy drive in south India

 

BEE launches energy drive in south India, with chennai in the spotlight

Extract from the article:
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has recently launched a crucial energy conservation initiative focused on South India, with Chennai taking center stage. This campaign specifically targets air conditioning units, urging manufacturers to standardize the default cooling temperature at 24°C. This temperature setting aims to create a balance between user comfort and energy efficiency, thereby reducing excessive electricity consumption in a region where cooling demand is rapidly rising. Through this move, BEE is seeking to align with national energy-saving goals, curb peak electricity loads, and promote sustainable living amidst growing urbanization and climate concerns.

This focused strategy also underlines the pivotal role of regulatory bodies in nudging manufacturers and consumers towards more energy-conscious behaviors. By making 24°C the default for new AC units, BEE aspires not only to reduce individual energy bills but also to mitigate the broader impact of carbon emissions linked with excessive cooling. Chennai’s prominent positioning in this drive exemplifies an urban model that other southern cities might emulate, creating ripple effects throughout the energy ecosystem in India’s southern states. This measured approach underlines the intersection of technology, policy, and social responsibility in tackling the pressing challenge of energy conservation.

My Take:
A. [Dear Shri Bhupendra Yadavji, You Can...]
"Yadavji, I urge you to inquire with that Israeli company regarding licensing its technology to one of India’s government Research Labs. In turn, this Lab can sub-license this tech to Indian AC manufacturers (I suggest FREE). Simultaneously introduce a LAW, which would require AC manufacturers to phase out their existing technology-based ACs by 2027 (just like the shift to BS 6 standards for autos). Get BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) to lay down Electricity Energy Consumption Standard, as per: Energy Consumption Standards: A Beginning."

Reflecting on this, I find the current BEE initiative aligns perfectly with the blueprint I envisioned years ago. There is a pressing need to couple regulatory mandates with technology transfer to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient air conditioning. My suggestion to license advanced cooling technology from abroad, enabling local manufacturers to innovate freely, remains highly relevant. By embedding strict energy consumption standards and phasing out outdated tech, India can aggressively combat inefficiency within the appliance sector. The government's proactive stance in designating 24°C as default is a vital step, but future moves must widen into enforceable standards and industry collaborations, as I had advocated earlier.

B. [BEE Ball Is In Your Court]
"BEE / dg-bee@nic.in This offers an unprecedented opportunity to BEE as Carbon Credit Administrator. I urge you to interpret Power Ministry’s notification as follows: # Sector: 1400 Million Indian Citizens; # Non-Obligate Entities: 300 Million Domestic Households; # De-carbonization Project: Energy Savings of Domestic Appliances / Devices; # Energy Efficiency Standards: Max Electricity Consumption per unit of time used; # Methodology: Carbon Finance through Carbon Credits, 12 Mar 2021; # Offset Mechanism: Carbon Credit Trading Scheme; # Registering of Project: When DISCOM installs Smart Meter, auto-Registration on BEE portal; # Carbon Credit Certificates: DEMAT Carbon Credit Account (To be delivered by BEE to Household on a Mobile App named BEEMAT)."

This perspective casts the BEE drive as not just regulatory but also as an economic lever for decarbonization. The emphasis on smart metering and carbon credit schemes complements the AC temperature standardization effort. I continue to advocate for the integration of energy efficiency improvements into carbon finance frameworks, which can provide real financial incentives to households adopting BEE’s guidelines. Incentivizing consumers to maintain air conditioning at 24°C could be effectively linked to carbon credit rewards, closing the gap between policy intent and grassroots action. The convergence of technical standards with smart, market-driven instruments defines a holistic path forward — a vision I highlighted before that is now unfolding in practice.

Call to Action:
To the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Ministry of Power: This is an opportune moment to institutionalize the default AC temperature setting of 24°C nationwide through regulatory statutes. I urge you to expedite the legislation for phasing out inefficient air conditioners and to formalize a carbon credit mechanism rewarding households that comply with energy-saving practices. Collaboration with research institutions for technology licensing, coupled with consumer engagement through transparent mobile platforms like BEEMAT, will accelerate this energy transition. Stakeholders from manufacturers to end-users must be brought into a unified framework that combines standards, incentives, and cutting-edge technology adoption. Let Chennai be the lighthouse city showing the rest of South India—and the nation—how sustainable cooling is not merely aspirational but actionable.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in