States » NorthPosted at: Oct 21 2026 7:06PM


Haryana to challenge power distribution licences for Gurugram, Nuh before APTEL within 5-6 days: Vij

Chandigarh, Oct 21 (UNI) The Haryana Government will challenge the decision to grant electricity distribution licences for Gurugram and Nuh before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) within the next five to six days and seek a stay on its implementation, Energy Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday.
Amid a proposed three-day strike by electricity employees from October 22 to 24, Vij reiterated that the state government stood firmly with the employees and would pursue all available legal remedies against the licensing decision, approaching the Supreme Court if necessary.
Addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh, Vij said that although the prescribed time limit for filing an appeal before APTEL was 45 days, he had directed the department to complete the process within five to six days. The government would also seek a stay on the order pending the outcome of the appeal.
Vij clarified that the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) was an autonomous body established under the electricity law enacted by the Central Government. Under the legal framework, eligible parties could apply to the commission for electricity distribution licences.
He said the state government had neither invited applications nor sought proposals for privatisation and had strongly opposed the licensing decision before the commission.
“The department has worked diligently on this matter. We engaged competent lawyers and presented our opposition firmly before the Commission. Now that HERC has ruled against the government's position, we will approach APTEL and file an appeal,” Vij said.
On the proposed strike by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front, the minister said he had already held discussions with representatives of employee unions and invited them to submit alternative proposals for consideration.
He said the unions were free to engage their own legal counsel but suggested that they work jointly with the government's legal team to prepare the case.
“Every problem can be resolved through dialogue. My doors are always open for discussions,” Vij said, urging employee representatives to engage constructively with the government.
The minister appealed to the union leaders to take note of the government's decision to challenge the licensing order and seek a stay before proceeding with the strike.
“If the government were refusing to challenge the decision, the employees would have grounds to consider a strike. However, we have already announced that we will file an appeal. Therefore, I believe the union leaders should recognise the steps being taken by the government,” he said.
Vij also confirmed that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had been apprised of the matter and informed about the legal steps the government intended to pursue.
With the government preparing to approach APTEL within days, attention is now focused on the proposed October 22-24 strike and whether discussions between the government and employee unions can avert a disruption in electricity services.UNI KK AAB
Tags: #Haryana to challenge power distribution licences for Gurugram# Nuh before APTEL within 5-6 days: Vij
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