Vidyut Sakhis Recover Rs 6,570 Mn in UP Electricity Arrears
The campaign, which ran from December 2025 to February 2026, saw the settlement of nearly one point seven seven five million pending bills and aimed to accelerate arrears recovery.
The Vidyut Sakhis earned a collective Rs 80 million (mn) in commission for facilitating payments at or near consumers' homes. The Vidyut Sakhis were trained under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission and tasked with accepting payments on behalf of UPPCL and assisting households with routine electricity matters.
The model sought to bring billing and collection services closer to consumers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where regular utility outreach can be limited. Officials framed the approach as a way to increase efficiency in revenue recovery while creating livelihood opportunities for local women.
Collections varied month to month, with December accounting for Rs 3,490 mn, January for Rs 1,880 mn and February for Rs 1,200 mn. The commission pool of Rs 80 mn was calculated on the basis of transaction volumes and values and differed between rural and urban areas, combining fixed amounts for low-value bills with percentage-based fees for larger payments.
Individual Vidyut Sakhis recorded notable results, with one agent in Amethi settling Rs 31 mn and others in Rampur and Barabanki collecting more than Rs 20 mn each. Districts including Saharanpur, Sultanpur and Meerut were highlighted for significant contributions to the overall recoveries.
Authorities said the initiative was intended to strengthen accountability and improve revenue collection without imposing direct pressure on consumers by using intermediaries who can facilitate doorstep payments. The decentralised scheme was presented as complementary to broader reforms in the power distribution sector where arrears recovery has been a persistent challenge, and officials indicated that continuing such outreach could sustain revenue improvements and enhance service accessibility.