New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS): In a first agreement of its kind between a power distribution company (discom) and India Post to promote financial inclusion and digital payments among the poor in the national capital, the BSES has signed an MoU with the Department of Posts, the Delhi discom announced on Wednesday.

As part of the agreement, camps will be organised for residents in over 200 identified JJ Clusters, or low-income colonies, benefiting over 1 lakh people in south and west Delhi, a BSES statement said.

"These residents will not only be educated about the importance of financial literacy and digitisation but also facilitated to open India Post Payment Bank accounts and given a cheque book and a Debit Card," it said.

The card can be used to make online payments of BSES electricity bills.

"Additionally, they will also get free insurance of up to Rs 2 lakh. BSES will pay the first year premium for the same," it said.

A similar programme will soon be rolled out in east and central Delhi areas as well, the statement added.

Announcing the initiative, a BSES spokesperson said: "Because of our sustained efforts, already around 93 per cent of our collections are through cashless means. This tie-up will give a further boost to BSES' digitisation drive."

"BSES believes in sustainable progress which should encompass all sections of society. We have been working towards this through our outreach programmes like on adult literacy, vocational training and health camps to reach out to the less-privileged sections of society," he added.

According to the discom, while consumers will be financially empowered and more people will come into the BSES billing net, India Post will get more account holders as a result of the tie-up.