01147pab a2200157 454500008004000000100002600040245006600066260000900132300001400141362001100155520074100166650001000907650001900917700001900936773003400955180718b2005   xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d  aMathur, Jaskiran Kaur  aDark homes and smoky hearths: rural electrification and women  c2005  ap.638-43.  a12 Feb  aIt is commonly argued by power utilities that rural electrification is commercially unviable and is responsible for the financial mess state electricity boards are in. This paper examines rural electrification from a socio-developmental perspective and argues that the direct and indirect benefits of rural electrification in reducing the burden on women, its positive impact on health, education and farm income, justifies the expense of network expansion for universal access. It is also advocates multiple uses of electricity as this would enhance these benefits, have a beneficial effect on the environment, increase the viability of rural electrification and result in savings on household (total) energy expenditure. - Reproduced.  aWomen  aPower industry  aMathur, Dhiraj  aEconomic and Political Weekly