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Evaluating the role of rural electrification in expanding people's capabilities in India

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  • Malakar, Yuwan

Abstract

This paper reinforces the concept that argues energy services should be evaluated from a ‘capability perspective’ rather than a mere utility point of view. It does so by evaluating the role of electricity in improving the quality of people's lives, using the capability approach, looking at the case of rural electrification in India. This study was carried out in two villages in Chittoor district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, using a qualitative approach. The findings suggest that electricity is a critical input to expand people's choices and opportunities in the pursuit of valued lives. However, the findings also indicate that the benefits of electricity are not equally distributed among all the families in the villages studied. The study recommends that rural electrification policies reconsider what defines an electrified village. Furthermore, this paper also suggests that the policy should promote not only access to electricity but also enhance social and political settings that may help people to transform electricity access into valued capabilities.

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  • Malakar, Yuwan, 2018. "Evaluating the role of rural electrification in expanding people's capabilities in India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 492-498.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:114:y:2018:i:c:p:492-498
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.12.047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sen, Amartya, 2001. "Development as Freedom," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192893307.
    2. Amartya Sen, 2004. "Capabilities, Lists, And Public Reason: Continuing The Conversation," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(3), pages 77-80.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Syed Ahsan Ali Shah & Gordhan Das Valasai & Asif Ali Memon & Abdul Nasir Laghari & Nabi Bux Jalbani & Jody L. Strait, 2018. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar PV Electricity Supply to Rural Areas of Balochistan, Pakistan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Jordi Cravioto & Hideaki Ohgaki & Hang Seng Che & ChiaKwang Tan & Satoru Kobayashi & Hla Toe & Bun Long & Eth Oudaya & Nasrudin Abd Rahim & Hooman Farzeneh, 2020. "The Effects of Rural Electrification on Quality of Life: A Southeast Asian Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-28, May.
    4. Rakeshkumar Mahto & Deepak Sharma & Reshma John & Chandrasekhar Putcha, 2021. "Agrivoltaics: A Climate-Smart Agriculture Approach for Indian Farmers," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-28, November.
    5. Liu, Yang & Bah, Zainab, 2021. "Enabling development impact of solar mini-grids through the community engagement: Evidence from rural Sierra Leone," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    6. Xinfang Wang & Rosie Day & Dan Murrant & Antonio Diego Marín & David Castrejón Botello & Francisco López González & Jonathan Radcliffe, 2021. "A Capabilities-Led Approach to Assessing Technological Solutions for a Rural Community," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Bharadwaj, Bishal & Subedi, Mukti Nath & Malakar, Yuwan & Ashworth, Peta, 2023. "Low-capacity decentralized electricity systems limit the adoption of electronic appliances in rural Nepal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).

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