The success in reaching electricity as a source of lighting is confirmed yet again, with over 99 percent households confirming use of clean energy for lighting. It shows the effectiveness of the ‘Sowbhagya’ programme for electricity connection to the deprived rural households.
The use of LPG for cooking has increased but only 49.8% households in rural India report its usage as the primary source of energy for cooking. Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha report less than one in four using LPG for cooking. Voices in UP, Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya, in the course of field visits, indicated a similar situation as incomes have shrunk.
A slightly unexpected (though consistent with NSS 76th Round 2018 and NFHS-V, 2019-21) finding in 2021 is the coverage under the Swachch Bharat Mission for Individual House hold Latrines (IHHLs). Only 68.8% rural households have access to an exclusive latrine. Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar report below 60% coverage. MP, UP, West Bengal report coverage between 60-70%. There is a need to understand the inadequate coverage in some states.
India’s outstanding performance on financial Inclusion is confirmed yet again with 89.3% of 18+ persons even in rural areas, having an individual or a joint account in any Bank/other financial institution/mobile money service provider. Rural Meghalaya is the only region reporting less than 70% coverage.
Another major accomplishment that is confirmed is 92.5% rural households reporting availability of all-weather roads within 2 kilometres from the place of living. This is a tribute to the success of the Pradhana Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and a range of State initiatives often in partnership with MGNREGS. Except rural Maghalaya and Uttarakhand, every other State is above 80% on this parameter. PMGSY made evidence based selection of roads with very well developed quality and cost parameters. It had outstanding monitoring systems that ensured quality control at all stages.
The impact of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin is also showing with 11.2% households in rural India reporting purchase/construction of house/flat after 31.3.2014, as compared to 7.2% in urban. 47.5% reported it was the first time ever that they had constructed a house. A large%age of new house/flat has been provided for vulnerable social groups. It confirms the evidence based approach using SECC data and Gram Sabha validation in beneficiary selection. The Report also highlights the challenges of migration. 26.8% rural and 34.6% urban persons report current place of residence as different from the last usual place of residence. For migrants, cities have to become friendlier in terms of bare necessities – home, water, gas, Bank account, electricity, sanitation, education and health services.
On achievement in digital literacy, we clearly have a very, very long way to go. The use of the mobile phone has increased significantly to over 65%. However, ICT skills are grossly deficient with only one in three 15-24-year-old in rural India able to copy or move a file or folder. This reflects the failure of the School Education system and its complete dislocation during the covid phase. The learning poverty and human capital challenges are our foremost challenge.
The above analysis clearly brings out the successes and the need for re-working programmes on the basis of evidence to enable achievement of SDG outcomes. Independent Data is a programme’s best guide. The NSS has been a source of high quality data and we should listen to it rather than deride it. It will help India achieve the SDGs by 2030. Read with the findings of the National Family Health Survey – 5 (2019-2021), it is possible to adopt evidence based mid – course changes to achieve the outcomes. Programmes have to become more flexible in responding to independent findings.
The Gram Swaraj Abhiyan in 63974 villages for reaching electricity, cooking gas, Bank account, life and accident insurance, immunization and LED Bulbs was one such convergent, concerted effort. 78th Round NSS confirms the maximum gains in programmes that were part of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan or that were planned to the last mile.
The writer is a retired civil servant