Kumar Bahukhandi
‘Deepti Yojana’ to be Led and Managed by Women-Representational Image ( Advertisement )
Raipur: The Government of Chhattisgarh has taken a landmark decision to empower rural women in the energy sector and integrate them into the economic mainstream.
The State Government has formally approved the ambitious ‘Deepti Yojana’ (Deepti Scheme) for the period spanning 2026 to 2031. This scheme will not only expand renewable energy across the state but will also accord rural women a new identity as owners, operators, and technical managers of energy assets. Operating under the guidance of the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, the primary objective of this scheme is to usher in a women-led green energy revolution within the state.
‘Solar Didi’: The Face of Rural Energy Transformation
Under the scheme, a dedicated cadre of ‘Solar Didis’ (Energy Companions) will be established at the village level. Selected women will undergo specialised training in the installation, operation, and technical maintenance of solar energy systems. These trained Solar Didis will assume responsibility for managing solar mills, cold storage units, irrigation systems, and other solar assets at the village level. This initiative will serve as a sustainable solution to the problem of technical malfunctions in remote and forest-dense regions, thereby ensuring the continuous functionality of rural infrastructure.
Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) to Evolve into ‘Women’s Energy Cooperatives’
As part of the scheme, Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) will be empowered and transformed into women-led energy cooperative societies. These societies will collectively manage energy assets. They are being integrated as authorized vendors and channel partners under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana’ (Prime Minister’s Solar Home Scheme). CLFs in the Mahasamund and Bastar districts have already been registered as vendors. Bulk procurement of equipment at the state level will help reduce costs, while Solar Didis will handle sales and servicing operations at the local level.
Innovative Payment Models for Affordable Energy
To ensure convenience for rural consumers, the ‘Deepti Scheme’ has adopted ‘Pay-per-Use’ and ‘Pay-as-you-go’ payment models. Under this framework, consumers are required to pay only for the energy they actually consume. To bolster the economic stability of women-led energy enterprises, the government has taken a historic decision to reserve 25 percent of all maintenance contracts within the Panchayats specifically for these committees.
The ‘Bihan’ Network and Technical Coordination
The blueprint for this scheme was developed with technical assistance from ‘Transform Rural India.’ Its widespread implementation will be facilitated through the state’s renowned ‘Bihan’ network. This initiative will involve the active participation of approximately 270,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state.
The specified model will not only promote clean energy but also unlock new avenues for livelihood and leadership opportunities for rural women. The ‘Deepti Scheme’ is poised to emerge as a visionary initiative that will secure a distinct identity for Chhattisgarh on the national stage as a women-led ‘Green Development Model.’
“The contribution of our women—our Matrushakti (maternal power)—to Chhattisgarh’s rural economy has always been exemplary. Through the ‘Deepti Scheme,’ we aim to transform the rural women of our state from mere ‘consumers’ of energy into its ‘owners’ and ‘managers.’ This scheme represents a significant contribution by Chhattisgarh toward fulfilling Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Net Zero’ emissions and a ‘Green India, Chief Minister Sai remarked ’
Our government’s objective is to ensure that every village in the state becomes self-reliant in terms of energy, with this transformative shift being spearheaded by our ‘Solar Didis’ (Solar Sisters). When rural women take charge of managing modern energy systems themselves, it will not only boost their incomes but also provide a sustainable and clean foundation for rural development.
The ‘Deepti Scheme’ marks yet another resolute step forward toward building a developed Chhattisgarh.”
— Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh
