More than two years after being launched, Uttar Pradesh government’s initiative to empower women, the ‘Bijli Sakhi Yojana’ has so far witnessed electricity bill collection in the rural areas worth Rs 625 million by a total of 5,395 women so far.

Launched in May, 2020, the initiative was launched as part of a larger scheme called Uttar Pradesh Banking Correspondent Sakhi scheme, it trained and appointed women volunteers to conduct door to door meter reading and bill collection exercise.

A press statement issued by the state government on December 17 stated that Anita Kumar, a resident of gram panchayat Bhasaun in Auraiya district is one of the many women, who became a part of Self-Help Groups (SHG), engaged as ‘Bijli Sakhi’.

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The press statement informed that she had to leave her studies due to the poor financial condition of the family following which she joined the self-help group running in the village and started working as a Vidyut Sakhi (Bijli Sakhi) from December 2020 but initially, due to social disregard, she had to quit it.

The financial condition of her family was deteriorating every day and then with the support of her father and brother she started the work again.

“It was only when I had started working that I began to feel confident, self-reliant and that I deserve respect,” Anita Kumari was quoted.

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“Times have changed for good. These days, even women can do technical work if they work hard enough. I am earning Rs 8000-9000 per month and with this income, I am able to support my family as well as bear the expenses of my studies,” she added.

The state government’s initiative to empower women and help them generate extra income by engaging them in the collection of electricity bill payments from the rural residents at their doorsteps seems to be paying off. well.

Under the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) had signed an agreement with the National Rural Livelihood Mission in all Districts of the state to allow Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to collect bill payments from the citizens at their doorsteps

At present, 73 cluster level associations have been registered on the portal of UPPCL as an agency for electricity bill collection in 75 districts of the state. A total of 15,310 women self-help group members have been selected for the purpose, out of which 5395 active members have done bill collection work worth Rs 625 million.

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“This has, by far, generated a total commission of Rs 9,074,000 to the members of the Women Self Help Groups. On average, a monthly income of Rs 3000-5000 and even more is being earned per woman from bill collection,” the report mentioned.