‘Dweepti Yojana’ to Be Operated Under Women Leadership, Launching a Green Energy Revolution in Rural Areas
Published on: May 15, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The Government of Chhattisgarh has taken a landmark step toward energy self-reliance by approving the ambitious ‘Dweepti Yojana’ for the period 2026–2031. The initiative aims to empower rural women by integrating them into the renewable energy sector and connecting them to the economic mainstream.
Approved under the guidance of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the scheme is designed to expand renewable energy adoption across the state while establishing rural women as owners, operators and technical managers of energy assets. The initiative is being viewed as the beginning of a women-led green energy transformation in rural Chhattisgarh.
‘Solar Didis’ to Lead Rural Energy Transformation
Under the scheme, a dedicated cadre of “Solar Didis” (Energy Sakhis) will be developed at the village level. Selected women will receive specialized training in installation, operation and technical maintenance of solar energy systems.
These trained Solar Didis will manage solar mills, cold storage units, irrigation systems and other solar infrastructure at the grassroots level. The initiative is expected to provide a permanent solution to technical maintenance challenges in remote and forest regions, ensuring uninterrupted functioning of rural infrastructure.
CLFs to Become Women Energy Cooperative Societies
Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) will be strengthened and transformed into women-led energy cooperative societies under the Dweepti Yojana. These federations will collectively manage energy assets and participate in renewable energy deployment.
The committees are being linked as authorized vendors and channel partners under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana. CLFs from Mahasamund and Bastar districts have already been registered as vendors. Bulk procurement of equipment at the state level will reduce costs, while Solar Didis will handle local sales and servicing operations.
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Innovative Payment Model for Affordable Energy
To ensure accessibility for rural consumers, the scheme introduces Pay-per-Use and Pay-as-You-Go payment models. Consumers will pay only for the energy they use, making renewable energy affordable and scalable.
In a significant policy decision, the state government has reserved 25 percent of maintenance contracts executed through Panchayats specifically for women energy cooperatives, strengthening financial sustainability for women-led enterprises.
BIHAN Network and Technical Collaboration
The framework of the scheme has been developed with technical support from Transform Rural India. Its large-scale implementation will be carried out through the state’s well-known BIHAN network, involving approximately 2.7 lakh self-help groups across Chhattisgarh.
The model is expected to promote clean energy adoption while opening new avenues of livelihood, entrepreneurship and leadership for rural women. Experts believe the Dweepti Yojana will position Chhattisgarh as a national example of a women-led Green Development Model.
Chief Minister’s Statement
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that rural women have always played an exemplary role in the state’s economy. Through the Dweepti Yojana, women will transition from being mere energy consumers to owners and managers of modern energy systems.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving Net Zero targets and building a green India. The government aims to make every village energy self-reliant under women’s leadership, ensuring sustainable rural development and increased income opportunities.
