Chhattisgarh has taken a unique initiative to link the expansion of solar energy in rural areas with the economic empowerment of women. Through the DWEEPTI scheme, or Decentralized Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion, women self-help groups are being established not only as beneficiaries but also as vendors, technicians, entrepreneurs, and service providers in the solar energy sector. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department, in collaboration with Transform Rural India, a technical partner, developed this policy under the Green Economy Transition Mission.
- Chhattisgarh is the first state to have a women-led decentralized renewable energy policy.
According to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to adopt a women-led decentralized renewable energy policy. The plan aims to establish 5,000 women’s energy enterprises, create 50,000 green jobs, and ensure access to clean energy for 500,000 households and 10,000 institutions in the state over the next five years.
- Trained ‘Solar Didi’ is being prepared
Under the scheme, 13 cluster-level federations (CLFs) across 12 districts, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) and district administrations, have been registered as authorized vendors for the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. By training women in solar installation, operation, maintenance, and public awareness, locally trained “Solar Didis” are being developed, who will be able to provide technical services in their own areas.
- New skill-based livelihood opportunities for women in line with the Prime Minister’s ‘Lakhpati Didi’ vision
To expand solar energy systems to more families, loans are being made available to families associated with self-help groups at easy installments. This financial model promotes clean energy and provides women-led enterprises with the opportunity to develop sustainable businesses. This initiative is creating new skill-based livelihood opportunities for women, in line with the Prime Minister’s “Lakhpati Didi” vision.
- The State Government’s comprehensive vision is to link women’s economic empowerment with the clean energy transition.
This scheme also reflects the state government’s broader vision of linking women’s economic empowerment with the clean energy transition. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has consistently emphasized creating new livelihood opportunities for women through self-help groups, while Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Vijay Sharma considers the role of community organizations as the foundation of sustainable rural development. The Dwipti scheme combines these two priorities, bringing women into the mainstream of the renewable energy sector.
- Connecting rural women with clean energy-based self-reliant livelihoods
Shri Bhim Singh, Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, said that until now, women’s role in the renewable energy sector has been limited primarily to that of beneficiaries. The DWIPTI scheme is changing this mindset, positioning women as vendors, technicians, managers, and entrepreneurs. He said that this initiative is an important step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s Lakhpati Didi vision, which connects rural women with self-reliant livelihoods based on clean energy.
- Initiatives reach ground level from policy in Kabirdham
The impact of the Dwipti scheme is now visible on the ground. Kabirdham is among the first districts to successfully implement this initiative. With the support of CSPDCL-RAPM, Raipur, the District Panchayat Kabirdham (Bihan) registered Vande Mataram Cluster Level Federation, Kawardha, as an authorized solar vendor. With the technical support of Tata, approximately 35 women from Bihan’s self-help groups were specially trained to form the district’s first “Solar Didi” team.
- The first rooftop solar plant is located in Samanpur, Kabirdham district.
The first rooftop solar plant under the scheme was installed in Samanpur village, Kabirdham district. Mrs. Anjani Patel, a member of the Mata Bhavani Self-Help Group under the Pragati Livelihood Village Organization, is among the women who benefited from this training.
Mrs. Anjani Patel said, “This work has opened a new avenue of livelihood for us. We are proud that now women from self-help groups are installing solar systems themselves. This has increased our confidence that this can become a strong source of sustainable income for many rural women.”
- Growing demand for solar systems creates new self-employment opportunities for trained rural women
Kabirdham Collector Shri Gopal Verma said that this initiative is a successful example of integrating livelihood promotion and renewable energy. He added that the growing demand for rooftop solar systems is creating new self-employment opportunities for trained rural women.
Mr. Abhishek Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat Kabirdham, said that this model has been developed to develop skill-based and sustainable livelihoods for women, as well as to increase access to solar systems in rural areas. Initial results have been encouraging. Nearly 40 rooftop solar system installation orders have been received from women in self-help groups and other villagers in Kabirdham district, and several plants have already been installed.
With the expansion of the Dwipti scheme to other districts of the state, this model based on women-led registered federations, trained local technicians and easy financial arrangements is emerging as an effective example for wide-scale implementation in Chhattisgarh.
Dwipti Scheme at a Glance
• 5,000 women energy enterprises to be set up in the next five years.
• 50,000 green jobs to be created.
• Access to clean energy to 5 lakh families to be ensured.
• 10,000 institutions to be linked to the scheme.
• 13 cluster level federations from 12 districts registered as authorised solar vendors.
• 35 women trained as ‘Solar Didi’ in Kabirdham.
• More than 40 orders for rooftop solar systems received in Kabirdham district.
