Raipur (thestates.news) | Chhattisgarh has introduced a first-of-its-kind policy framework that places women’s self-help groups at the centre of rural rooftop solar expansion, not merely as beneficiaries, but as vendors, technicians, entrepreneurs and service providers. The DWEEPTI Yojana, or Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion, has been jointly developed by the state’s Panchayat and Rural Development Department and its technical partner, Transform Rural India, under the Green Economy Transition Mission.
According to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to adopt “a women-led distributed renewable energy policy.” The initiative aims to establish 5,000 women-led energy enterprises over the next five years, generate 50,000 green jobs, and expand access to clean energy for five lakh families and 10,000 institutions across Chhattisgarh.
In collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited and district administrations, the department has registered 13 Cluster Level Federations from 12 districts as authorised vendors under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Women are being trained in rooftop solar installation, operation, maintenance and community awareness, creating a local cadre of trained “Solar Didis” capable of providing technical services within their own communities.
