Measuring the Impact of Electrification on Socio-Economic development of Rural Odisha

Socio economic development of any society is highly dependent on the availability of energy to the population of the area. Rural electrification is one of the most powerful and fundamental need particularly for the under privileged villages. The present study based on the empirical survey of 310 respondents is confined to the impact of electrification on socioeconomic development in rural Odisha. The sample area for the study is concentrated in Ganjam district, located in the southern Odisha having highest number of households as per Census-2011. This district consists of 22 blocks covering 475 gram panchayats which has 3195 rural villages. Out of the entire area, two most populated blocks viz. Digapahandi and Khalikote of Ganjam district have been selected for the survey. The study intends to analyse the socio-economic impacts because of electrification in the above two blocks and brings out a vivid comparison between before and after electrification. The extent of socio-economic changes the rural beneficiaries are able to achieve because of the policy and practice of rural electrification are also dealt with. The datasets used are both quantitative and qualitative from different villagers of the district. The designed parameter for the analysis is a mixed type combining both descriptive as well as exploratory types. The simple random sampling method have been used for economic index analysis to measure the impact. The conceptual skeleton demonstrated in this proposed study would assist to puzzle out the suitable tariff level and the feasible solutions to minimize the viability gap. This research opens a window to the policymakers for their better understandings and achieving better development and implementation of future projects. This can positively influence the socio-cultural and economic conditions of the inhabitants.The study paves way for further research in the field of socioeconomic development in rural villages after electrification.