Haryana Power Employees Strike: Anil Vij Says Protest Could End Within Hours After Union Agrees to Talks

October 23, 2026

Panchkula: Haryana Power Minister Anil Vij on Friday expressed confidence that the ongoing strike by electricity employees would end within hours, after union leaders agreed to meet the state government in Panchkula at 3 pm.

Vij said he had spoken to employee representatives and that the government was ready to discuss their concerns. He reiterated that dialogue was the right way to resolve the dispute and said the government was prepared to consider the demand raised by the unions.

“I have nearly resolved the situation. I just spoke with the employee leaders as well, and I’ve been telling them since day one that a strike is not the way. Come, let’s talk,” Vij said.

He added that the union leaders had agreed to the meeting after the government considered their demand regarding Section 108. Vij said he had also spoken to the Chief Minister and expressed confidence that the strike would end soon.

Why Haryana Power Employees Are on Strike

Electricity employees and engineers across Haryana began a three-day statewide strike on October 22. The protest, scheduled to continue until October 24, is against the entry of a private power distributor in Gurugram and Nuh.

The dispute follows a decision by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to grant a 25-year parallel electricity distribution licence to Eleven Power Private Limited for the two districts.

The order, dated October 19, allows the company to supply electricity alongside the existing distributor. More than 8.3 lakh consumers, including households, farmers, shops, offices and industrial units, are expected to have the option to choose their electricity supplier as the new network becomes available in their areas.

The licence covers Gurugram City, Gurugram Sub-urban, Manesar, Sohna and Nuh. The distribution network is planned to be developed in phases over five years, with Nuh included in the first phase.

Government Opposes Privatisation Order

On Thursday, the first day of the strike, Vij described the protest as unwarranted. He said the state government had opposed the private company’s application before the electricity regulator and was challenging the decision.

Vij maintained that the government had invested heavily in power infrastructure and was concerned about the impact of privatisation on employees. He urged union leaders to end the strike and help the government prepare its case against the regulatory order.

The government is seeking a stay on the decision while pursuing its challenge before the appropriate forum.

New Power Network Planned From 2027-28 

Under the approved plan, the new distribution network is expected to begin supplying consumers from the financial year 2027-28. The project envisages a capital investment of Rs 4,717 crore between FY 2026-27 and FY 2030-31 under HERC’s regulatory oversight.

The proposed network will include smart meters, digital billing and a distribution management system, with infrastructure intended to improve power reliability and complaint redressal. The proposed power procurement mix includes 80 per cent renewable energy and 20 per cent thermal power.

The order marks the introduction of parallel electricity distribution in Haryana under Section 14 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which allows more than one distribution licensee to operate in the same area.

Existing consumers are not required to take immediate action. The current distributor will continue supplying electricity, while consumers will be able to switch to the new company as its network reaches their areas.

The new licensee must submit a detailed implementation plan for the first phase and a protocol for consumers wishing to switch within 60 days. The outcome of Friday’s meeting is expected to be important in determining whether the strike ends before its scheduled conclusion.