Energy: Sustainable Option for Economic Development

At the time of liberalisation and opening up of the economy, India was classified in the category of low income countries. After two decades of major policy reforms, Indian economy entered into the category of middle income countries and is further likely to enter into club of developed nations in the next two decades. Among major sectors of economy, energy is termed as key sector around which the economy revolves. As a matter of fact, energy sector is one of the major sources for draining out resources that lead to serious problem of balance of trade. If energy sector is managed the way it requires priority, the economy can have much focused and faster turnaround and entry into the club of developed nations could be achieved at least five years prior to the perceived time frame. Advantages of this phenomenon could be multi-fold and difficult to quantify but the fate of one-third of the lower strata of population can be changed wherein the perceived impact could be most thrilling and beneficial. That is what the country is in need at this stage. This paper attempts to examine various dimensions of energy sector, identifies lop sided areas, usable options available at current stage of technological advancement and requirements of over-coming anomalies and cement loose ends and finally take call to translate priorities into reality