Rohtak: The Haryana government has suspended Sanjit Kumar, an Executive Engineer (XEN) posted in Meham, Rohtak, after power supply could not be restored immediately following the electricity employees’ strike. The suspension order was issued by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) on Saturday, October 24, a day after the 45-hour strike ended.
Under the suspension order, Sanjit Kumar will remain stationed at the corporation’s office in Panchkula during the suspension period. He will not be allowed to leave the headquarters without prior permission.
Kumar had recently been promoted from Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to Executive Engineer (XEN). According to sources, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini directed officials on Friday evening to restore electricity supply immediately after the strike was called off.
However, Kumar reportedly could not be contacted by departmental officials and was not present at his office when attempts were made to reach him. Action was subsequently taken against him.
Electricity Department Sought Details of Officials
Superintending Engineer Vijender Narwal said the government had directed the department to restore power supply without delay. He said officials were unable to contact Kumar by phone and could not establish his whereabouts.
Narwal added that the government had sought a list of officials to determine who was present and who was absent during the restoration process. As Kumar could not be reached, disciplinary action was taken against him.
Electricity Employees End 45-Hour Strike
Electricity employees across Haryana remained on strike for around 45 hours, beginning at 10 pm on October 22 and ending on the evening of October 23.
The employees were protesting against a decision by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence for 25 years to private company Eleven Power Private Limited in Gurugram and Nuh.
On Friday evening, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Power Minister Anil Vij held a meeting in Panchkula with representatives of the employees’ unions. The government subsequently issued a directive to the commission under Section 108 of the Electricity Act, assuring the unions that the decision would be reviewed and the issuance of parallel licences halted.
Following the assurances, the unions announced the withdrawal of the strike and said employees would return to work immediately to restore electricity supply.
CM Seeks District-Wise Power Restoration Report
After the strike ended, Saini directed officials to restore electricity as quickly as possible across Haryana, particularly in areas where supply had been disrupted. He also instructed departments to give priority to resolving technical faults.
The chief minister sought a district-wise report on the status of power restoration by midnight. Officials were also directed to keep control rooms operational so that public complaints could be addressed promptly.
The suspension of the Meham-based XEN came as the state government pushed officials to restore normal electricity supply following the end of the strike.