More than 15,000 trained Vidyut Sakhis helped collect about Rs 6,570 mn in outstanding electricity bills in Uttar Pradesh under a One Time Settlement initiative of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) between December 2025 and February 2026. The campaign settled nearly 1.775 mn pending bills and focused on recovering long standing arrears while facilitating easier payment access. Officials overseeing the programme reported the consolidated figures and credited the decentralised collection model for results.

The Vidyut Sakhis are women trained under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission and were engaged to accept payments on behalf of UPPCL and to assist consumers with basic electricity issues. Their doorstep collections targeted rural and semi urban communities where standard utility outreach is limited. The initiative aimed to bring billing and payment services closer to customers and to reduce the administrative burden on distribution staff.

Collections varied month to month with December recording the highest inflow at about Rs 3,490 mn, followed by Rs 1,880 mn in January and Rs 1,200 mn in February. Vidyut Sakhis earned about Rs 80 mn collectively as commission for three months. The commission structure differed between rural and urban areas, with a set amount per lower value transaction and a percentage for higher amounts. The arrangement was designed to incentivise timely settlements while maintaining transparency.

Individual performers were recognised for large recoveries, with one collector in Amethi settling around Rs 31 mn and others in Rampur and Barabanki recovering over Rs 20 mn each. Districts such as Saharanpur, Sultanpur and Meerut made notable contributions to the total. Authorities described the exercise as a strategy to strengthen accountability and to improve revenue collection without imposing direct pressure on consumers.

The use of local women intermediaries reflects an approach by UPPCL to combine livelihood opportunities with public service delivery and to address persistent unpaid dues. Officials indicated that decentralised collection can complement broader reforms in the power distribution sector and enhance operational efficiency. The programme will inform future outreach and revenue recovery strategies across the state.