The Uttar Pradesh government’s Vidyut Sakhi Yojana is not only lighting up rural homes but also transforming the lives of women by empowering them economically. Through their dedication and hard work, rural women involved in the initiative have collectively collected more than Rs 3,250 crore in electricity bills, creating an impressive record and emerging as a strong example of women’s empowerment.

Currently, around 30,000 women are registered as Vidyut Sakhis across the state. Of these, more than 15,000 are actively working on the ground, visiting households in villages to collect electricity bill payments. The state government plans to deploy the remaining registered women soon after completing their training and other formalities, further expanding the reach of the program and strengthening rural energy services.

Officials said that under the scheme, Vidyut Sakhis earn a commission of Rs 20 on electricity bill collections up to Rs 2,000, while they receive 1% commission on bills exceeding Rs 2,000. Thanks to this initiative, thousands of women in villages have become financially stable, with many even turning into lakhpatis, while also gaining greater respect and recognition within their families and communities.

The scheme was launched with the aim of empowering women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas by engaging them as electricity bill collection agents. As a result, rural consumers no longer need to stand in long queues to pay their electricity bills, making the payment process more convenient. At the same time, the program has created a sustainable source of income and employment for thousands of rural women, reinforcing their role in local development.