Raipur, October 2026: Rural women in Chhattisgarh are now writing a new chapter of self-reliance in the field of clean energy. Women, once engaged in traditional livelihood activities through self-help groups, are now making their mark in modern technological fields like solar energy. The "Dweepti Yojana" (DWEEPTI), implemented in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, is proving to be an important initiative in developing rural women as energy entrepreneurs. By linking with the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, women from the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) are being trained as Solar Didis (Solar Didis). These women are pioneering a new path of economic self-reliance by bringing solar energy to villages.

To date, 801 women associated with the Bihan Mission in the state have been identified as "Solar Didi." 19 cluster-level organizations (CLFs) have been registered as solar vendors. 94 solar systems have been installed in various districts of the state, and 415 solar installation cases are underway. This progress demonstrates that this rural women-led initiative to promote clean energy is now taking shape on the ground.

Women will no longer be just beneficiaries but will become energy entrepreneurs.

The Dwipti scheme stands for "Decentralized Women's Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion." Developed by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department with Transform Rural India, a technical partner, under the Green Economy Transition Mission, the initiative aims to mainstream women into the renewable energy sector.

The unique feature of the scheme is that it develops women not only as beneficiaries of government schemes, but also as vendors, technicians, managers, and entrepreneurs in the solar energy sector. Cluster-level organizations of women's self-help groups are being registered as authorized solar vendors, giving them the opportunity to operate businesses. This is opening new doors for rural women to move beyond traditional livelihoods and pursue technology-based employment.

This initiative focuses on promoting the use of solar energy in rural areas and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to women. Work is underway to develop women's cluster organizations as enterprises and connect them with services such as solar system installation, operation, and maintenance. This is also an important effort to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge of "Lakhpati Didi."

Kabirdham gave a new direction, Solar sisters took over the technical responsibility

Kabirdham district has emerged as an inspiring example in the initial implementation of the Dwipti scheme. Under the Bihan Mission, the Vande Mataram Women's Complex in Kawardha has been registered as an authorized solar vendor under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Women from self-help groups here were trained and trained as Solar Didis.

The first rooftop solar system was installed under this initiative in the village of Samanpur in the 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. For her, the opportunity to work in the field of solar energy has brought new hope for livelihood. This initiative is also inspiring other rural women to become self-reliant by engaging in technical work.

Through solar panel installation activities in Kabirdham, each Solar Didi is expected to earn between 500 and 1000 rupees per installation. Additional income opportunities are also being developed for the Mahila Sankul organization.