In a groundbreaking achievement for rural women’s empowerment in Uttar Pradesh, the ‘Vidyut Sakhi’ initiative has shattered records by collecting over ₹3,227 crore in electricity bills. Led by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, this program is transforming the lives of women from self-help groups in villages across the state.
The scheme, a collaboration between the State Rural Livelihood Mission and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, empowers rural women to handle bill collections door-to-door. It’s not just about revenue; it’s a powerful step toward financial independence. Maurya highlighted how participants have seen significant income boosts and greater respect in their communities.
Since its launch, over 1.40 crore bills have been collected, earning more than ₹42 crore in commissions. Currently, 15,413 active Vidyut Sakhi women are serving consumers in rural areas. The spotlight shines on the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme from December 2025 to February 2026, where they gathered ₹657 crore—₹349 crore in December, ₹188 crore in January, and ₹120 crore in February.
During this period, nearly 17.75 lakh bills were cleared, with commissions exceeding ₹8 crore. Top-performing districts include Saharanpur, Sultanpur, Meerut, and Amethi. Standout individuals like Soni Dwivedi from Amethi (₹3.1 crore), Meher Jahan from Rampur (₹2.7 crore), and Rajshri Shukla from Barabanki (₹2.3 crore) exemplify the success.
Remarkably, 70 Vidyut Sakhi women each collected over ₹1 crore during OTS, setting new benchmarks. Officials emphasize that this model goes beyond collections—it’s fostering economic empowerment, transparent power distribution, and doorstep services. It proves women’s potential in administrative and financial roles when given opportunities.