Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District

Comprehensive District Annual Plan 2011-12 Balasore District
SWOT analysis of Energy sector
Strengths
• Higher growth rate of population – increase in demand for energy.
• 94.47% of the villages are electrified.
Weaknesses
• Inadequate maintenance staff.
• Inadequate infrastructure.
• Transformers are old, requiring replacement.
• Theft of transmission wire.
• Transmission loss.
• No power production in the district.
• 160 villages are remote villages, which are difficult to be electrified using conventional
electricity.
Opportunities
• Rajeev Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna.
• Biju Gram Jyoti Yojna & Biju Saharanchal Vidyutikaran Yojna.
• Scope for establishment of Rice husk based gasifier for power generation.
• Scope for energy plantation in barren and wasteland and decentralized power generation.
Threats
• Power theft
• Extensive use of modern household gadgets like TV, Fridge, AC, Washing Machine
demands more energy than speculated. The distribution network along with transformers
etc. unable to bear the load causing frequent power breakdown.
2.5. Industry and Minerals:
The district lack mineral resources. But the adjoining district of Keonjhar is rich in
chromite and iron deposits. No mineral deposit of economic value beneath the soil of the
district has been reported till date. Only sand sources are there because of flowing of rivers
inside the district.
Lack of mineral resources is the main reason behind absence of mineral based industry in
the district. There are 10 major and 9 medium industries in the district. Out of 9 medium
industries, 8 have been closed.
A total of 232 registered SSI units are functioning in the district. The number of
unregistered SSI units is approximately 300. But a large number of cottage and village
industries, handicraft units exits in rural areas of the district under unorganized sector.
Data on unregistered units/units under unorganized sector are not available and need to be
surveyed/assessed.
Table 2.55. Details of SSI units in the District
Nos. Investment (Rs. in lakhs) Employment (No. of Persons)
232 608.31 1100
Source: District Industries Center, Balasore
Rapid socio economic development and competitive atmosphere created an atmosphere for
self employment in the field of unorganized sector as alternative opportunities for best
utilization of young talent. The district has lot of potential in unexploited sectors.
Agricultural products such as paddy, jute, black gram, green gram, groundnut, mustard,
sugarcane etc., are harvested in selective patches all over the district. During the recent
year banana plantation, sunflower cultivation has been taken up. Pisciculture has so far
TSI: NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) 49