Effect of Rural Electrification on Economic Growth and Development of Rural Odisha: An in-depth Empirical Study

Today's interest in rural electrification has highlighted how crucial it is to connect its growth and development with useful energy applications and poverty reduction. This has been considered important in order to speed up the electrification of rural areas. Despite the considerable interest in rural electrification, there has been little success in illuminating isolated rural areas. This study is set out to examine the impact of rural electrification on the development and growth of Ganjam District in Odisha. The study would increase our understanding of the availability of energy in rural areas and may have an impact on rural residents, inspire them, and promote rural electrification as a means of generating cash through the productive use of power. This essay evaluates the literature on rural electrification's contribution to economic development and growth in two sample Blocks in the Ganjam District. It analyses the economic factors that led to the growth of rural electrification and evaluates how electricity affected the various rural economic activities. Conclusions are established on those who will benefit from rural electrification as well as the difficulties in igniting economic growth that will help make it more practical and inexpensive. The results of the study will be used as a guide by policymakers, the management of state power utilities, and field officers in distribution companies to understand changes that must be made in future programs and to gauge rural residents’ awareness because the majority of impoverished villagers view electricity as a luxury due to its affordability.