Latest news with #UttarPradeshStateRuralLivelihoodMission
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Powering UP: Over 1000 rural women entrepreneurs install 4 MW of solar power
Lucknow: Under the Decentralized Renewable Energy for Women's Economic Empowerment (DEWEE) programme, implemented through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), women-led self-help groups (SHGs) are adopting solar-powered technologies to run small-scale enterprises. According to officials, over 1,000 women entrepreneurs have already established solar-powered businesses under the programme, with more than 4 MW of decentralized solar energy capacity installed across participating villages. From flour mills and tailoring units to general stores and dairy operations, these initiatives are not only reducing dependency on diesel but also generating alternative income sources. The initiative, supported by a multi-stakeholder consortium, aims to integrate clean energy solutions with rural livelihood programmes, providing both technical assistance and business development support. Partners include the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), Prerna OJAS, PCI India, the Gates Foundation, HSBC, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). 'This programme demonstrates the potential of integrating clean energy with grassroots economic development,' said Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. From Pilot to Statewide Scale A significant milestone in the programme has been its implementation in Take Home Ration (THR) manufacturing units across Unnao, Varanasi, and Agra districts. These facilities, equipped with hybrid solar PV systems, recorded production efficiency of up to 82 per cent, with monthly electricity savings estimated at ₹30,000 and a reduction of approximately 21 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Based on these results, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the scale-up of solar integration to over 200 THR units, with a 90 per cent capital subsidy to encourage wider adoption. Officials note that the move is likely to contribute to more stable employment opportunities for women in SHGs. 'This is not just about energy access — it's about building enterprise viability through sustainable power ,' said Deepa Ranjan, State Mission Director, UPSRLM. National Recognition The DEWEE programme was recently highlighted in the Government of India's Economic Survey 2024–25 as a notable example of linking decentralized renewable energy (DRE) with women's economic empowerment . The recognition is expected to enable greater engagement with national policymakers and encourage replication in other states. The Road Ahead The programme has set an ambitious target of involving 1,00,000 SHG women in the decentralized green energy workforce over the coming years. This will require continued investment in skills training, stronger financial linkages, and improved market access for women-led enterprises. Officials view the initiative as a potential template for scaling clean energy adoption through community-based models, particularly in rural India, where energy access and employment remain key development priorities.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Over 17L women become Lakhpati Didis in Uttar Pradesh'
The first meeting of the state-level coordination committee (SLCC), constituted under the Lakhpati Didi programme, was held under the chairmanship of chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh on Monday. Praising the efforts of the programme in empowering women and making them financially self-reliant, he called for expanding the 'Didi ki Rasoi' initiative and 'Prerna Canteens' not only in schools but also in industrial areas. He also emphasised better coordination among departments to enhance the impact of the programme. Mission director of Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), Deepa Ranjan, presented key achievements during the meeting. She informed that as many as 17.09 lakh women had become Lakhpati Didis so far. Revolving funds have been provided to 7.17 lakh self-help groups (SHGs), while 5.74 lakh SHGs have received community investment funds. Additionally, bank loans have been extended to 7.26 lakh SHGs. Key interventions include, 49,800 women linked to integrated farming clusters (IFCs),5,000 involved in beekeeping, 2,500 in sericulture, and 2,000 in fish farming, 20,000 women selected under the One Lakh Women Entrepreneurs (DA) initiative, 30,100 Vidyut Sakhis and 39,779 BC Sakhis onboarded, 30,561 small entrepreneurs nurtured under the SHG-based village entrepreneurship programme (SVEP), 20,000 women connected to Prerna Ojas solar-based initiatives,2.64 lakh women benefited through 5 dairy producer companies and 1.80 lakh women linked to Producer Groups (PGs) and 23,509 to farmer producer organisations (FPOs) Additionally, 1.25 lakh women are benefiting from Take Home Ration (THR) plants, and 8,929 SHG Didis have been linked to micro food processing enterprises under the PM-FME scheme. The state aims to raise the annual household income of 28.92 lakh SHG members to over ₹1 lakh by the financial year 2026-27.
