Solar Mills Empower Women in Ayodhya Amid Power Cuts

Empowering Rural Women Through Solar Energy

In various villages across Uttar Pradesh, rural women are successfully overcoming the challenge of frequent power outages by adopting solar-powered machinery to secure sustainable livelihoods. In Ayodhya, local women including Aarti, Devki Dubey, and Kranti Devi have established independent businesses, running flour mills and oil extraction units powered entirely by solar energy.

According to reports, these entrepreneurs are earning between 15,000 and 30,000 rupees monthly. Kranti Devi noted that while power cuts during the monsoon season previously disrupted daily operations, solar technology now allows them to run their machinery directly at their doorsteps without interruption.

Business Setup and Government Support

• Initial Funding: Participants started their ventures supported by initial loans of 30,000 rupees.
• Community Networks: Membership in local self-help groups provided foundational backing for building these enterprises.
• Policy Alignment: These grassroots initiatives align with broader government frameworks, specifically the state government's Solar Didi initiative and the PM Surya Ghar Scheme.
• Nodal Agency: The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency functions as the designated nodal body for these efforts.

Practical Implications and Verification

For readers interested in the practical implications of decentralized renewable energy projects, similar initiatives can be examined through official state renewable energy portals. Observers and community members seeking to verify details regarding the Solar Didi initiative or the PM Surya Ghar Scheme are advised to consult official announcements and guidelines issued by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) or corresponding government channels.