BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to rope in women self-help groups (SHGs) in energy sector by using them for collection of revenue as well as involving them in different services in the rural pockets. The Women and Child Development (WCD) and Energy departments, which have jointly stitched up a proposal, have agreed to go ahead with what they call the Women SHGs in Energy Franchise Arrangement (SEFA). The move is aimed at not only benefiting the groups, which enjoy a large base among the communities in rural pockets, but also regularise energy dues collection and create awareness among the people. Since the SHGs draw their members from a cross-section of communities, revenue collection, grievance redressal, sensitisation on energy conservation and prevention of theft will be boosted by the SEFA. Besides, it will also strengthen the movement of SHGs in the State and diversify their role into new sectors. The two departments will involve the energy utilities __ generators as well as suppliers __ to carry out the programme. To put in place a system, which will require trained members of SHGs, training is being imparted both at the district and block levels, the latter being the crucial one. A block-level committee, with BDO as the head having support from executive engineers of distcoms and CDPOs, will select the groups. The process of seeking application from the SHGs will be completed before November 15 and screening wrapped up by November 20. By November-end, the selection of SHGs will be completed. Each SHG will then nominate two members who will undergo necessary skill training and field-level training. The Government is expected to issue the work order by December 31 after necessary agreements are signed. Mission Shakti will play a major role in the whole process.
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