Author: Meera Rajagopalan
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss no. HS-93-02
Year: 1993
Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1993
Examination Committee: Harvey Demaine (Chairperson); A.T.M. Nurul Amin, Karl .E. Weber, David .J. Edelman, Robert W. Bradnock (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: India has invested considerably in rural electrification both as an element in its basic needs program and in the effort to raise productivity and employment opportunities in rural areas. This strategy has been beneficial to some extent but the program is now extending to more marginal agricultural regions as the government of India has laid stress on the development of the dry regions. Most detailed studies so far have concentrated on regions well endowed with irrigation facilities. The broad objective of the study was to assess the impact of rural electrification on rural and regional development in general in the context of a backward rainfed region in India, that is, Koilkonda Mandal in Mahbubnagar District in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The more specific objectives included assessing the impact of the provision of electricity on the productive sectors of the economy, namely, agriculture, industries and services. Besides the effect of electrification at the household level was another factor examined. The focus was on the underprivileged groups in the rural areas, that is, marginal and small farmers, landless labour and women. In order to assess the impact and the problems and constraints in dryland regions, a cross sectional quantitative analysis of farm households using different modes of irrigation, that is, electric pumpsets, diesel engines and the traditional mhote was adopted to assess the impact of electrification on production, income and employment in the farm sector. The case study method was adopted for analysing the impact on industries and services. This was supplemented by extensive discussions with the respondents and key persons involved in the rural electrification program. This micro level study has indicated certain policy issues which have a bearing on the direction of the rural electrification program. The results of the study indicate that the number of households obtaining electricity connections at the household level remains low. Among those who have connected, it is the relatively
Scholarship Donor(s): Government of Australia; Danish Agency for International Development (DANIDA)
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
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