LAW MANTRA THINK BEYOND OTHERS

(National Monthly Journal, I.S.S.N 2321 6417)

Paradox of Sustainable Development: The Story of Gujarat & Jharkhand

ABSTRACT
The access to green energy has emerged as a challenging problem in todays milieu. Although
India has seen a massive growth in green energy production over the years, its benefits have
not really percolated to the masses. This paper aims at addressing the same, by a comparative
analysis of the states of Gujarat and J harkhand. It seeks to point out the paradox of resources
well evident in the above comparison.
As early as 1970s, Gujarat realized the bleak future of conventional sources of energy and
shifted its focus towards the alternate sources of energy. Today it is one of the most energy
efficient states which has made the dream of equitable access to green technology possible for
its people. Despite being a pool house of energy resources, Jharkhand is struggling to meet its
own energy demands. Majority of its population is in darkness as most resources are directed
either out of the state or remain in the hands of a powerful few.
This research paper aims to highlight the existing situation in the state of J harkhand and
infer the reasons behind these inequalities. It would then establish the factors behind the
success of Gujarat and modify and adopt the sustainable development model used by it to
achieve a common minimum for Jharkhand.
Keywords: sustainable, energy, conventional, growth.













Introduction
Energy is the prime mover of economic growth and is vital to sustain a modern economy.
Future economic growth significantly depends on the long-term availability of energy from
sources that are affordable, accessible and secure. But for the past few decades, the world has
been facing multiple challenges of energy, poverty and climate change which are daunting.
Equitable distribution of income and access to all has become a serious issue which has to be
given priority.
Similar is the scenario prevailing in India wherein the country, over the years, has seen a
steady growth in the amount of energy available yet, the increase in percolation of the same is
dismal. A considerable section of our population is still in the dark while the modern city
glistens and dazzles in light. The challenge India is currently facing is to provide access to a
safe mode of energy to all, an issue which if left unanswered might become a thorn in Indias
path towards becoming a superpower. The energy problem in our country can be described in
simple terms as a dilemma between the need to make available increased quantities of energy
for development and the need to reduce the expenditure on import of oil, expenditure on
infrastructure for coal and electricity and the impending need to put a brake on deforestation
and other environmental concerns. The problem is further compounded by the variety of needs
and the multifarious energy requirements which differ from rural sector to urban sector. Most
of the times even though resources and technology do exist but lack of proper distribution
nullifies the same. The Government trying to do its bit came up with various schemes to
improve access unfortunately most of these schemes have remained mere paper tigers.
According to an estimate 85 percent of villages in India are electrified, and still around 57
percent of the rural households and 12 percent of the urban households i.e., 84 million
households in the country (over 44.2 percent of households) did not have electricity in 2000.
On the other end of the spectrum lies the various Special Economic Zones which, situated
hardly 500 kilometres away from these places, are booming with electricity that also is
provided to them at subsidized rates. The distance is the same, the accessibility is the same, the
only difference is energy- the latter have it and the former do not. Such is the inequity in the
distribution of electricity in India.
Therefore, the researcher has done a comparative study between the two states of Gujarat and
Jharkhand, one with abundant energy to fulfil its own demands and become a major energy
power supplier to the rest of the states while other in spite of being a reservoir of mineral
wealth is struggling to fulfil its own needs thereby, showcasing the paradox of energy
resources prevailing in our country. This is done so that, these needs be fulfilled at the earliest
to achieve a holistic approach towards growth rather than a unilateral one with a small section


of the society growing while the other is living a foot-to-mouth existence without the bare
necessities of life.

2. Energy profile of Gujarat and Jharkhand
2.1 Gujarat: Fact File
It is gifted with vast supplies of oil and natural gas and various other minerals such as
limestone, lignite, bauxite, bentonite, chalk, china clay, dolomite, marble and granite. It is the
industrial hub of India and certainly lives up to its fame even in the energy sector. It has been
ranked second in the overall performance of power sector. And it has been ranked third just
behind Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in total generation of installed capacity of power among
all states in India. Gujarat has a total number of twenty-four power plants which include nine
thermal power plants, ten gas power plants, four hydel power plants and one atomic power
plant. It has shown a phenomenal increase in power generating capacity over the years from
385 MW in 1966 to 11711 MW in 2009-2010 achieving a per capita consumption of 1446
units twice the national average of 665 units. The latest figure as on 31st December (year) puts
Gujarats installed power capacity at 15793.22 MW. The fact that only 0.7% of the villages
are not electrified is an indication of its exemplary success.
2.2 Jharkhand: Fact File
It is truly the natural resources cradle of India, with 40 % of Indias natural resources. It is the
sole producer of coking coal, uranium and pyrite and possesses about one third of the countrys
iron ore reserves, huge quantities of other minerals like uranium, mica, kyanite etc. As per a
2002 estimate, there are 59,919 thousand tonnes of coal which constitutes 37% of Indias Coal
reserves.
Jharkhand occupies the 24th rank in the overall performance of power sector. This might be an
improvement from the 2005 report giving it the last i.e. 29th position, but the energy scenario
continues to be dismal. The installed capacity of power in J harkhand is 1942.86 MW. But the
prospect of capacity addition in both the thermal and hydel sectors of various power stations is
as high as 4,736 MW. This includes 686 MW of hydel generation.
Also, only 45% of villages in J harkhand are electrified which means that the State has one of
the lowest electricity access levels in the country. The progress under Rajeev Gandhi Gramin
Vidyutikaran Yojana scheme has been slow as well. In 2002 the government had made tall
claims to electrify 25,000 villages by 2007 in the states coal belt where 40 per cent of the
countrys coal reserves are located.
Jharkhand has a lot of potential even in the nuclear energy scene. The state, which is the store
house of uranium reserves, does not have even a single nuclear power plant. Jharkhand alone


accounts for 45% of the 1,03,552 tonnes of U3O8 resources. Jaduguda in Singhbhum Thrust
Belt was the first uranium deposit to be discovered in India in 1951 and exploratory mining
activities commenced in this deposit in 1957.

3. A Comparative Analysis
A huge paradox of resources is clearly exhibited when we take the case of J harkhand. It is the
richest state in terms of mineral wealth in the whole country but its own citizens are struggling
to reap the benefits of this so-called wealth. There exists a huge gap between resource
utilisation and consumption. This situation is in stark contrast with a moderately mineral rich
state i.e. Gujarat which has still managed to attain not just soaring power production levels but
also an equitable distribution of that power. This is quite evident if the energy profile of the
aforementioned states is examined.
On one hand there are ten power plants which are currently operating in J harkhand with a
production of 1942.86 MW. While on the other hand we see Gujarat soaring high with twenty-
four power plants with a high installed power capacity to the tune of 15793.22 MW as on 31st
December, 2010.
There is no dearth of avenues for growth but laggardness on part of the J harkhand authorities
which is at fault. Hitherto the power and energy control in J harkhand is under state regulation.
There are tall claims to bring about private enterprise in the energy sector but implementation
is where it lacks. All the power sector reforms call for an increased Public-Private Partnership.
The state is planning to set up a Special Economic Zone for the power sector to boost its
development but all of this is still on the agenda. This is yet another instance of the
lackadaisical attitude exhibited by the J harkhand government. In contrast, Gujarat is a pioneer
in this sphere. The power production is done in a balanced way by equal participation of state,
centre and private enterprise. Gujarat Government is continuously striving to promote
facilities like power through private entrepreneurs under PPP framework.
When we compare the realm of the work done in the field of sustainable energy by the two
states, Gujarat again emerges as the winner. It is the leading player in India when it comes to
production of renewable energy. Every state needs to develop its non-conventional resource
base so as to keep in tune with the needs of the industry and stabilize the demand-supply graph.
The solar radiation falling over India is about 5,000 trillion kWh a year and both Gujarat and
Jharkhand are solar-energy rich states having excellent terrain to tap it. But unfortunately this
similarity ends here. Active participation and support of the government is required which is
there as far as Gujarat is concerned but lacking in J harkhand.






4. Conclusion
The above mentioned comparison has given us a great insight into the problems and challenges
which are blocking the road to move to a scenario of where energy equity and access to all is a
reality. The delicate balance between environmental degradation and growth needs to be
maintained. Hence, the answer to these issues is sustainable development in the energy sector,
which would help in procuring the needs of the present without damaging the prospects of the
future and an equitable distribution of the present and future resource.
Also, one of the most appropriate ways to tackle this issue is by promoting green (renewable)
sources of energy. The amount of energy that is present can be increased by adopting newer
and more energy efficient technologies of production, by investing more in research and
development and most importantly by adopting a People first policy. Moreover, India has
immense potential in developing renewable energy which is largely untapped because of the
lack of resourcefulness of our leaders. If developed well this can reduce the burden on our
minerals and help in achieving sustainable development. The best part of this source is that
easily available and in most case needs only initial investment and can be actively sustained
with the help of people. It must be the prerogative of the government to popularise this source
on energy. Till the time people especially from the backward areas arent sensitised and made
aware of them they can never be implemented properly. Getting community participation in
community biogas or solar heating programs or maybe setting up a small wind turbine can
supplement the traditional sources of energy and help in preserving the environment.
In a nutshell, this analysis of Gujarat and J harkhand makes us aware of the ground realities of
the dynamics of energy in our country and its equitable distribution and, shows us a path to
come out of this impasse.

By:- Aishwarye Dubey,National Law University Odisha