With Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) successfully engaged in electricity meter reading activities, the State Government has decided to scale up such livelihood aspect.
Secretary, Mission Shakti, Sujata R Karthikeyan, who is making all-out efforts to take WSHG to next level, has taken initiative to formulate detailed guidelines for selection and functioning of WSHG, SHG for electricity billing and collection of power charges for power distribution companies (DISCOMs).
Karthikeyan has joined hands with Secretary Energy Bishnupada Sethi for a coordinated approach in this regard and for the first time for the benefit of WSHGs and SHGs, such an initiative has been taken by the State Government.
Both the mandarins have prepared detailed guidelines and with such an initiative, it will be easier to have uniform guidelines across the State.
Now with the guidelines in operation, more and more WSHG and SHGs will be able to participate in the process in a proper manner.
Proper procedures have been laid out for selection of WSHGs and SHGs for engagement in electricity meter reading, billing and bill distribution and bill collection (MBC) activities.
The MBC activities will be taken up for single phase and three phase consumers of domestic and other consumers.
The WSHGs having completed two years of existence and having ability to handle MBC activities will be selected.
The WSHGs are to have active bank account and shall have regular monthly savings by WSHG members. The WSHGs should have regular and systematic book keeping relating to meeting register and updated pass books. One WSHG will be selected for electricity billing and collection of power charges in one gram panchayat or ward.
Expression of Interest (EoI) for engagement of WSHGs in MBC activities shall be notified for two years. Block Level Committees (BLC) will be formed to examine the EoI, and suitable WSHG will be recommended to District Level Committee (DLC).
Upon selection, the WSHGs will execute an agreement for two years with the DISCOM and selected WSHG will take up the work.
In order to boost these organizations for better work, apart from remuneration, incentives have been prescribed for the WSHGs.
Incentive and remuneration will be transferred to WSHG account through e-transfer mode. A block-level committee will supervise and monitor the management of MBC activities once in two months and representatives of WSHGs will be invited to participate in the meeting, said sources.