An analysis of the Socio-economic impact of Solar Housing Scheme on rural livelihoods in Tamil Nadu

Infrastructure plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and development of a nation. Since India adopted the strategy of developed countries to achieve rapid economic growth by accelerating industrial development a number infrastructural developments have been taking place. These developments have further widened the rural-urban divide. A large proportion of the population living in rural India still suffer from severe infrastructural inadequacies. According to census of 2011, only 45.9% of the houses in rural areas are said to be in good condition. While 47.6% of the houses are in livable condition about 6.5% of the census houses in rural areas in India are said to be in dilapidated condition. Grass, Thatch, Bamboo, Wood and Mud etc., are the predominant material in roof in 20% of the rural households. The domestic consumption of electricity has been growing at a faster rate compared to other sectors due to increased urbanisation, higher disposable income and changing lifestyles. However, electricity as a source of lighting is only accessible to about 55% of the rural households and a majority of the rural households suffer from inadequate housing facilities which have an impact on quality of living. Most of the houses provided by the Government are either too small or lack basic facilities like proper sanitation.

In order to address challenges in infrastructural inadequacy, in the rural economy the Government of Tamil Nadu has pioneered the launching of a comprehensive program that encompasses provision of rural housing, adequate sanitation facilities, better health and basic energy requirement. The Solar Powered Green House Scheme of the State Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to construct 3 lakh houses during a period of 5 years from 2011–12 to 2015–16 with solar lighting system for the benefit of the rural poor. The Chief Minister's Solar Powered Green House (CMSPGH) Scheme is the first ever comprehensive scheme in the country that focuses on addressing the basic electricity need as well as housing need. The present study has been undertaken with the purpose to understand how the scheme has affected the living conditions of the rural beneficiary households. The study also tries to identify how the solar lighting and the housing facility is valued by the beneficiaries. This article is a part of the Ph. D. research work of Ms. Jayalakshmi, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai-600 086, under the supervision of Dr. Crystal David John, Assoc. Prof. & Head, Dept. of Economics, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai-600 086.