​Differential Benefits of Electricity in Rural Areas

In September 2024, an analysis of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyut Yojana was released by the University of Chicago and University of Maryland states.

Key Points of the Analysis

• Disproportionate Benefits: It showed that larger and more populous villages benefited disproportionately more than smaller hamlets with fewer households
• Increased Per-Capita Expenditure: Villages with about 2,000 residents saw their per-capita monthly expenditure double, rising by approximately Rs 1,428 (about $17) due to full electrification.
• Limited Benefits for Smaller Villages: Villages with 300 people experienced negligible changes in per-capita expenditure. For these smaller communities, full electrification had less than a 27% chance of providing ....