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
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