It has been reported that the standard of living in India has improved over the last decade. But the view is based on wrong perceptions. Indians are spending more on TV sets and mobile phones rather than on sanitation according to a decadal census of household amenities and assets. Registrar-general C.Chandramouli who conducted the extensive survey said that quality of living had shown significant improvement. More people have access to permanent houses, electricity supply, mobile phones and ground water which is considered safe. But the standard of sanitation should have been better. Mihir Shah, planning commission member in charge of rural development admitted that the approach on providing sanitation was faulty. Efforts have been made to build toilets for all without ensuring quality and many of them remain unused. The government has decided to adopt a new approach in the 12th five years plan. There is a high decadal Gross Domestic Production growth rate of about 7.3%. But 45% of homes in rural areas still do not have and electric connection as compared to 7% in urban areas. It goes against one of the claims of the Registrar-general.
Official shift in policy emphasis is a step in the right direction. It seems that in the last decade, the concept of welfare measures took a back seat. Welfare means electricity in most homes especially in rural areas where 70% Indians live. Sanitation is of the highest priority as health depends largely on it. The purchasing power of average Indians has increased significantly but the mind set has moved in the wrong direction. The glitter of urbanisation has blinded the majority who spend on TV and mobile phones but ignore the basic needs of healthy living. The falling prices of electronic gadgets have also contributed to this development
