Greenpeace, an NGO, on Thursday released a report, ‘Still Waiting’, stating that despite growth in electricity generation, the rural poor are still deprived of power.
Authored by Shankar Sharma, an energy consultant, the report challenges the government’s energy model and recommends a decentralised energy mix to overcome social injustice.
The report compares electricity supply among rural and urban areas in five Indian states between 1999 and 2009. It was found that in Bangalore the annual peak power demand was fully met and in Tumkur there was a deficit of 18%, but the villages of Anekal, Salgame and Nagarle faced a deficit of 31-41%, 29-33% and 45-59% respectively.
“This is sheer social and energy injustice. India needs to change its energy plans, or “Electricity for All” will only remain a promise,” Sharma said.
“Fossil-fuel based centralised electricity generation plan has huge economic, social and environmental impact, which is borne by rural areas,” said Arpana Udupa, campaigner, Greenpeace India.
The report also states that between 1999 and 2009 the available power capacity in the state went up by 70% and energy consumption increased by 95%. But 356 villages remained unelectrified.
BESCOM managing director Tushar Girinath told DNA, “Rural areas are not getting 24 hours power supply but will get it under the Nirantar Jyothi scheme from June 2012 wherein, houses and rural industries will have 24 hours power supply, andagricultural land will get 6-7 hours. Power supply is being segregated and distributed. Greenpeace should understand it,” he said.
Comments