Haryana to challenge Gurugram-Nuh power distribution licences in APTEL within 5-6 days: Anil Vij
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 21, 2026: The Haryana government will challenge the decision to grant electricity distribution licences in Gurugram and Nuh before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), with an appeal to be filed within five to six days, Energy Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday.
Vij said the government would also seek a stay on the decision, asserting that it stood firmly with electricity employees opposing the move. He added that the government would pursue the legal battle up to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
The minister was responding to questions from the media in Chandigarh regarding the proposed strike by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front against the grant of distribution licences in Gurugram and Nuh.
Vij said the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) was an autonomous body established under the central electricity law and that eligible parties could apply to it for licences. He clarified that the state government had neither invited applications nor sought proposals for privatisation.
He said the government had strongly opposed the licensing decision before HERC but would now challenge the order before APTEL.
Although the prescribed period for filing an appeal is 45 days, Vij said he had directed the department to complete the process within five to six days. The government would also make efforts to obtain a stay on the order, he added.
On discussions with representatives of the employees’ front, the minister said he had asked union leaders to suggest alternatives and offered to have their legal representatives work alongside the government’s lawyers to prepare the case.
“We will first fight the case in APTEL and then approach the Supreme Court as well, if required. We stand completely with the employees,” Vij said.
Addressing the proposed strike, he urged employee leaders to take the government’s decision to challenge the order into account, maintaining that the government had made its intention to appeal clear from the beginning.
Vij also said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had been apprised of the situation and the steps being taken to challenge the licensing decision.
Emphasising the importance of dialogue, the Energy Minister said every problem could be resolved through discussions and that his doors remained open to employee representatives.