States » NorthPosted at: Oct 21 2026 11:02PM


Haryana to challenge private power distribution licence in Gurugram, Nuh; CM appeals to employees to call off strike

Chandigarh, Oct 21 (UNI) The Haryana government will challenge the grant of a parallel electricity distribution licence to a private company in Gurugram and Nuh before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Wednesday, assuring protesting power employees of the government's support and directing officials to prevent any disruption in electricity supply during the festive season.
Chairing a high-level review meeting with administrative secretaries to assess the prevailing situation, Saini appealed to electricity employees and their unions not to resort to a strike, warning that any interruption in essential services could cause serious inconvenience to consumers.
The Chief Minister said the state government would strongly contest the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's (HERC) decision to grant a distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh districts.
In a significant assurance to the protesting employees, Saini said the government was even prepared to engage lawyers of the unions' choice to represent its case before the appellate tribunal.
"The government stands firmly with electricity employees in this matter," Saini said, adding that the administration's doors would remain open for dialogue with employee representatives.
The dispute concerns HERC's decision to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence to Eleven Power Private Limited for Gurugram and Nuh, a move that has sparked opposition from electricity employees who are concerned about the entry of a private distributor into the existing power supply network.
The government's decision to approach APTEL sets the stage for a legal challenge to the regulatory order, while the Chief Minister's appeal to the unions reflects efforts to avert industrial action and maintain uninterrupted electricity services.
Saini directed all deputy commissioners to constitute district-level committees to monitor developments and report regularly to a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
He instructed administrative departments to adopt a proactive approach and prepare contingency plans to ensure that electricity consumers did not suffer from any strike or disruption in departmental operations.
The Chief Minister placed particular emphasis on maintaining essential services during the festive season, when reliable electricity supply is critical for households, markets, commercial establishments and public facilities.
Officials were also directed to ensure that no anti-social elements exploited any proposed strike to create disorder or disrupt public services.
Saini reiterated his appeal to employee unions to resolve their concerns through dialogue rather than industrial action, assuring them that the government was committed to pursuing the legal challenge.
Government did not invite private licence applications: Anil Vij Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij clarified that the state government had not invited applications from private companies for electricity distribution licences.
He explained that the regulatory framework administered by HERC allows eligible companies to apply independently for distribution licences.
Vij said the government, along with the engineers' association, had opposed the proposal to grant a licence to the private company from the outset.
His clarification sought to distinguish the state government's position from the statutory licensing process undertaken by the electricity regulator.
The minister reiterated that the government would challenge the commission's decision before APTEL and pursue the case in support of its stated position.
Consumer interests and uninterrupted supply remain priorities: The developments have brought the question of parallel electricity distribution in Gurugram and Nuh into focus, particularly its implications for the existing distribution system, employees and consumers.
While the state government has announced its intention to challenge the regulatory decision, the licence's legal status will depend on the proceedings before APTEL and any subsequent orders.
The Chief Minister directed officials to remain vigilant, maintain coordination across departments and ensure that public services continued without interruption.
The government has not announced a date for filing the appeal or disclosed the precise contingency arrangements being prepared to deal with a possible strike.
The review meeting underscored the administration's immediate priorities: pursuing the legal challenge, maintaining dialogue with electricity employees and protecting consumers from any disruption in power supply.
UNI KK/NB RN
Tags: #Haryana to challenge private power distribution licence in Gurugram# Nuh; CM appeals to employees to call off strike
More News

Police suspect Uttarakhand minister's husband, accused of cheating and threatening to kill her, has fled to Nepal

21 Oct 2026 | 11:41 PM

Prithviraj Singh
Dehradun, Oct 21 (UNI) Uttarakhand police have failed to trace the whereabouts of Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya's husband Girdhari Lal Sahu amidst suspicion that the accused, booked for threatening to kill the minister and unleashing violence against her, has escaped to Nepal.

see more..

Una: Two youths die in road accident

21 Oct 2026 | 11:10 PM

Una (HP), Oct 21 (UNI) Two youths died following a road accident on the Amb-Una road in Una district of Himachal Pradesh late Tuesday night.

see more..

J&K Police observes police commemoration day across Kashmir

21 Oct 2026 | 11:09 PM

Srinagar, Oct 21 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday observed Police Commemoration Day across the Kashmir Valley, paying tributes to personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

see more..

Air pollution grips Delhi-NCR; Khora records 'very poor' AQI of 317, Delhi at 245, Gurugram 216

21 Oct 2026 | 11:07 PM

Panchkula, Oct 21 (UNI) Air quality remained 'poor' across much of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday, with Khora in Ghaziabad district recording the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 317 in the 'very poor' category, while Delhi registered 245, Greater Noida 280, Noida 249 and Gurugram 216, according to the NCR air quality bulletin. .

see more..

Air show rehearsal draws huge enthusiasm in Varanasi

21 Oct 2026 | 11:06 PM

Varanasi, Oct 21 (UNI) A rehearsal was held on Wednesday at Namo Ghat for the air show proposed here on October 22, 24 and 25.

see more..