Failing to realise even half the power dues from villages, the energy department in Uttar Pradesh has now decided to avail the services of women self-help groups (SHGs) that have been engaged to unpaid electricity bills from inhabitants in 60,000-odd villages. The state energy department has signed an agreement with Rural Livelihood Mission in this connection and training for recovery will begin on Tuesday.
Energy minister Srikant Sharma said UP is the first state in the country to have taken this initiative in which rural women will be given employment. He said these women would only recover power dues in villages where the recovery ratio of UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is low.
