Mission Shakti: Odisha govt to employ SHG women as ‘linewomen’ under Energy Dept

In a landmark decision regarding women employment in the State, Odisha government on Thursday announced that Self Help Group (SHG) women working under the Mission Shakti Department will be employed as linewomen in the Energy Department.

The decision was announced by Mission Shakti Secretary, Sujata Karthikeyan while discussing with Panchayati Raj (PR) representatives of the State.

The women will be provided with training to work as linewomen which will begin next year.

That apart, a State level federation will be formed for the Mission Shakti women. It is slated to be created within 12 months.

“They are already engaged in electricity metre reading and bill collection works, and the feedback we get from DISCOMS about their performance is encouraging. It made us think to go a level up and train eligible women to work as linewomen as well,” Karthikeyan said.

“Because they collect electricity bills, consumers call them to sort out electricity disruption issues they face. And their dependability has increased manifold in recent times. I am sure they will work as good linemen as well,” she asserted.

Pertinent to mention here that it was decided in October 2021 to not engage agencies for collection of electricity bills. Various women Self Helf Groups (SHGs) members have since been engaged for the collection of electricity bills in different parts of the State.