Haryana Electricity Workers End Strike After Government Assurance on Privatization License
Haryana electricity workers have ended their strike after the government promised to revoke a privatization license for power distribution.
Panchkula, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : Electricity workers in Haryana concluded their strike on Friday evening, which had begun in protest against the privatization of power distribution. The strike was initiated on Thursday in response to a decision to grant a private company a license for electricity distribution in the Gurugram-Nuh region.
Following a second round of discussions on Friday evening in Panchkula, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Power Minister Anil Vij assured the workers that the government would revoke the license granted to the private firm. Vij informed union leaders that the government would take action under Section 108 of the Electricity Act.
The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) had decided to license a private company for electricity distribution, a move that employees viewed as the beginning of privatization in the sector. In response, they staged a strong protest.
During the meeting in Panchkula, Minister Vij emphasized that the government had opposed the HERC’s decision from the outset. He clarified that no applications had been sought from any entity regarding this matter.
Vij explained that the central government’s Electricity Act allows institutions to propose privatization in specific areas by submitting applications to the regulator. The announcement of this decision prompted immediate backlash from electricity department employees.
After discussions with union leaders, the government decided to exercise its authority under Section 108 of the Electricity Act to direct HERC. If the decision deviates from established policy, the government can instruct its cancellation.
“We have decided to proceed along this path. The Chief Minister and I have signed the necessary documents, which have been submitted to the department, requesting an immediate halt to this order. We will also file an application for a review of this order under the same provision,” Vij stated. He added that the meeting was conducted in a cordial atmosphere, and another meeting is scheduled for November 3 at 3 PM to provide detailed updates on progress made.
