The International Energy Agency (IEA) has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rural electrification drive as ‘one of the greatest success stories’. The Narendra Modi government had completed the electrification of all villages in April, this year.
“This means that for the first time ever, the total number of people without access fell below 1 billion, according to new data from World Energy Outlook 2018. In particular, one of the greatest success stories in access to energy in 2018 was India completing the electrification of all of its villages,” the IEA said in its assessment in the World Energy Outlook 2018.
Electrification will also boost productivity, spur innovation and enhance well being. “Electricity can increase productive hours in a household leading to positive outcomes on education and economic wellbeing. It can also spur innovation and lead to entrepreneurial micro businesses ventures and, in time, lead to greater agricultural yields. Benefits also flow to the likes of schools, banking and medical services,” the agency said.