Basic consumer durables like bicycles and electric fans have become more affordable for rural consumers across India, thanks to increasing discretionary spending and comparatively low levels of price increase in durables, a fresh study by Crisil Research revealed.

According to the Crisil report, at least 50 per cent of rural households already own a bicycle, an electric fan and a mobile phone.

A typical rural Indian household enjoyed an annual increase of 11 per cent in its discretionary spending, from Rs 14,000 in 2004-05 to Rs 24,000 in 2009-10.

Comparatively richer states like Punjab and Kerala are likely to purchase more high-end durables in the coming years, such as cars, refrigerator, air coolers and digital cameras.

The report said, "Kerala and Punjab bagged the top spots, in terms of the highest discretionary rural household spending, witnessing higher growth over an already high base seen in 2004-2005."

Average household in Kerala and Punjab reported the highest annual discretionary spending in India, at Rs 55,228 and Rs 46,337 respectively.

However, the study also said that dearth of infrastructure in rural areas of states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar discouraged people from purchasing durables like television or refrigerator. The researchers estimated that around 12 million rural households in Uttar Pradesh and 4 million in Bihar would have purchased a ceiling fan by 2009-10, in case they had given electric supply.