UP's 16,000 Vidyut Sakhis Collect 1.53 Crore Electricity Bills, Earn ₹45.4 Crore Through Commissions

In Uttar Pradesh, 16,000 Vidyut Sakhis, women from self-help groups, have collected electricity bills worth Rs 1,53,62,709 for more than 31,000 women across the state. Through their work, these women have earned Rs 45.4 crore in commissions. The program, a collaboration between the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), aims to generate employment and improve access to electricity bill payment services in rural areas.

By collecting bills, Vidyut Sakhis have not only created a new source of income for themselves but have also made it convenient for rural consumers to pay their bills without traveling long distances. The scheme has led to the collection of over 1.53 crore electricity bills over the past five years, generating nearly Rs 3,500 crore in revenue for the power department.

Women associated with self-help groups undergo training and become Vidyut Sakhis, using the electricity department's e-wallet platform to collect bill payments from consumers. They earn a commission of Rs 20 for bills up to Rs 2,000 in rural areas and Rs 12 in urban areas, with the program generating a total of Rs 45.4 crore in commissions so far.

This initiative benefits women, consumers, and the power department by providing employment, improving payment systems, and generating revenue in rural areas.