Source: The New Indian Express
Context
Chhattisgarh has launched the DWEEPTI Yojana — Decentralised Women Empowerment on Energy and Policy for Transformative Inclusion. It makes Chhattisgarh the first Indian state to adopt a women-led distributed renewable energy policy. It integrates women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into the distributed solar ecosystem as installers, managers and entrepreneurs.
What It Is
- An initiative of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
- Developed in collaboration with Transform Rural India (TRI) under the Green Economy Transition Mission.
- Enables SHG women to install, manage and promote rooftop solar systems.
Aim
- Promote women-led clean energy entrepreneurship.
- Expand decentralised renewable energy adoption.
- Create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
- Support rural energy self-reliance.
Key Features
- Solar Didi Cadre
- SHG women are trained as Solar Didis to work as solar vendors, technicians, installers, managers, and entrepreneurs, making them active participants in the rural solar value chain.
- Integration with PM Surya Ghar Yojana
- Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) are registered as authorised vendors under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, enabling direct access to subsidy-linked rooftop solar projects.
- Affordable Financing
- SHG members receive flexible loans for rooftop solar installations, leveraging the SHG–Bank Linkage Programme to overcome high upfront costs.
- Statewide Expansion
- After a successful pilot in Kabirdham district, the initiative will be expanded across all districts of Chhattisgarh.
About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
- Launched in February 2024 with an outlay of about ₹75,021 crore.
- Targets 1 crore households with rooftop solar, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month.
- Central Financial Assistance: 60% of system cost up to 2 kW, and 40% of additional cost for 2–3 kW, capped at 3 kW.
- Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with a National Portal for applications and vendor selection.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the DWEEPTI Yojana, consider the following statements:
- It has been launched by Chhattisgarh, making it the first Indian state to adopt a women-led distributed renewable energy policy.
- It trains Self-Help Group members as “Solar Didis” to work as solar vendors, technicians, installers and entrepreneurs.
- Cluster Level Federations are registered as authorised vendors under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
- It was piloted in the Bastar district before statewide expansion.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to related schemes and concepts, consider the following statements:
- The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana provides for up to 300 units of free electricity per month to participating households.
- The Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to enable Self-Help Group women to earn an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.
- In the rural livelihoods architecture, Cluster Level Federations are formed above Village Organisations, which are formed above Self-Help Groups.
- Distributed renewable energy refers to large, centralised generation plants connected to the interstate transmission system.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the scheme was piloted in Kabirdham district, not Bastar.
- (c) — Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because distributed renewable energy refers to small-scale generation at or near the point of consumption, such as rooftop solar and mini-grids — the opposite of large centralised plants.
