NSSO report suggests Gujarat's lag in household power consumption vis-a-vis several other Indian states

Based on NSSO's household survey

By Our Representative
Fresh figures released by India's powerful National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), based on its 68th round of survey, have exposed the loud Gujarat government claims of the highest electricity per capita consumption in Gujarat compared to any other major Indian state. Released recently in “Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India, 2011-12”, the survey-based report suggests the electricity consumption in Gujarat’s household is lower than nine states both in urban and rural areas out of 20 major Indian states.
The figures show, in the rural areas, the per capita household electricity consumption is 10.7 units per capita per month, while in the urban areas twice as much – 23.6 units. However, Gujarat’s electricity consumption in the rural areas was found to be less than that of Andhra Pradesh (15.7 units), Haryana (15.8 units), Himachal Pradesh (31.9 units), Jammu & Kashmir (16.4 units), Kerala (17.8 units), Maharashtra (11 units), Punjab (23 units), Tamil Nadu (17 units), and Uttarakhand (13.7 units). The all-India is 8.9 units per capita per month.
In the urban areas, according to the NSSO data, Gujarat’s per capita per month household electricity consumption was found to be 23.6 units, which was lower than Andhra Pradesh (25.6 units), Haryana (36.5 units), Himachal Pradesh (48.6 units), Jammu & Kashmir (29.2 units), Kerala (29.7 units), Maharashtra (27.7 units), Odisha (23.9 units), Punjab (35 units), and Tamil Nadu (36.4 units). The report shows that the all-India average is higher than Gujarat's -- it is 25.8 units.
Interestingly, the figures which official Gujarat government sources quote to prove a higher consumption of power include the electricity consumed by industrial and agricultural sectors as well, hence they do not show how much are common masses consuming. If one takes these two sectors into consideration, indeed, then the per capita per month electricity consumption would come to 138.6 units per capita per month. This is higher than all states except Punjab (150 units), and double that of India.

Based on NSSO's household survey

The NSSO figures, however, go to suggest that, while Gujarat’s industrial and agricultural sectors seem to be consuming very high electricity -- at least double than what the country consumes -- and also more than nearly all major states, when it comes to power consumption by individual households, Gujarat’s lag is conspicuous and discernible. "The report goes to suggest that Gujarat was just an average state under Narendra Modi as chief minister of Gujarat between 2001 and 2014, and not the best, when it came to electricity consumption", a senior economist commented.

Explaining the data, the NSSO report states, “In case of electricity there was, in rural areas, in the seven-year period between 2004-05 and 2011-12, a rise of 36 per cent in the proportion of electricity-consuming households (compared to a rise of 6 per cent in urban areas) and of 57 per cent in per capita quantity of electricity consumed (compared to 29 per cent in urban areas).”

The report adds, “Electricity made up about 50% of fuel expenditure in the average urban household and 22% in the average rural household. Electricity was consumed by 96% households in urban areas and 74% in rural areas.”

Comments

Stagnating wages since 2014-15: Economists explain Modi legacy for informal workers

By Our Representative Real wages have barely risen in India since 2014-15, despite rapid GDP growth. The country’s social security system has also stagnated in this period. The lives of informal workers remain extremely precarious, especially in states like Jharkhand where casual employment is the main source of livelihood for millions. These are some of the findings presented by economists Jean Drèze and Reetika Khera at a press conference convened by the Loktantra Bachao 2024 campaign.

'Assault on civic, academic freedom, right to dissent': TISS PhD student's suspension

By Our Representative The Mumbai-based civil rights group All India Secular Forum (AISF) has said that the suspension of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) PhD student Ramadas Prini Sivanandan (30) for two years for allegedly indulging in activities which were "not in the interest of the nation" is meant to send out the message that students and educational institutes will be targeted if they don’t align with the agenda and ideology of the ruling regime. TISS in a notice served to Ramadas has cited that his role in screening the documentary 'Ram Ke Naam' on January 26 as a "mark of dishonour and protest" against the Ram Mandir idol consecration in Ayodhya. Another incident cited in the notice was Ramadas’ participation in the protest against unfair government policies in Delhi under the banner of the Progressive Students' Forum (PSF)-TISS. TISS alleges the institute's name was "misused", which wrongfully created an impression that

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Magnetic, stunning, Protima Bedi 'exposed' malice of sexual repression in society

By Harsh Thakor* Protima Bedi was born to a baniya businessman and a Bengali mother as Protima Gupta in Delhi in 1949. Her father was a small-time trader, who was thrown out of his family for marrying a dark Bengali women. The theme of her early life was to rebel against traditional bondage. It was extraordinary how Protima underwent a metamorphosis from a conventional convent-educated girl into a freak. On October 12th was her 75th birthday; earlier this year, on August 18th it was her 25th death anniversary.

Bill Gates as funder, author, editor, adviser? Data imperialism: manipulating the metrics

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD* When Mahatma Gandhi on invitation from Buckingham Palace was invited to have tea with King George V, he was asked, “Mr Gandhi, do you think you are properly dressed to meet the King?” Gandhi retorted, “Do not worry about my clothes. The King has enough clothes on for both of us.”

Why it's only Modi ki guarantee, not BJP's, and how Varanasi has seen it up-close

"Development" along Ganga By Rosamma Thomas* I was in Varanasi in this April, days before polling began for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are huge billboards advertising the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The only image on all these large hoardings is of the PM, against a saffron background. It is as if the very person of Modi is what his party wishes to showcase.

Joblessness, saffronisation, corporatisation of education: BJP 'squarely responsible'

Counterview Desk In an open appeal to youth and students across India, several student and youth organizations from across India have said that the ruling party is squarely accountable for the issues concerning the students and the youth, including expensive education and extensive joblessness.

Following the 3000-year old Pharaoh legacy? Poll-eve Surya tilak on Ram Lalla statue

By Sukla Sen Located at a site called Abu Simbel in Nubia, Upper Egypt, the eponymous rock temples were created in 1244 BCE, under the orders of Pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 BC)... Ramesses II was fond of showcasing his achievements. It was this desire to brag about his victory that led to the planning and eventual construction of the temples (interestingly, historians say that the Battle of Qadesh actually ended in a draw based on the depicted story -- not quite the definitive victory Ramesses II was making it out to be).

Poll promises: Political parties 'playing down' need to retrieve and restore adivasi land

By Palla Trinadha Rao* The Scheduled Tribes population of 10.43 crore constitutes 8.6% of the population in the country inhabiting 26 States and 6 Union Territories. Parliament elections along with Assembly elections in some states have been notified this year.

India's "welcome" proposal to impose sin tax on aerated drinks is part of to fight growing sugar consumption

By Amit Srivastava* A proposal to tax sugar sweetened beverages like tobacco in India has been welcomed by public health advocates. The proposal to increase sin taxes on aerated drinks is part of the recommendations made by India’s Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian on the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the parliament of India.

Counterview

Search This Blog