Breaking: Haryana Power employees call off strike after Govt moves to challenge HERC’s private license order
Babushahi Bureau
Panchkula (Haryana), October 23, 2026: Haryana electricity employees have called off their strike following talks with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Power Minister Anil Vij, with the government deciding to direct the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to halt its decision to grant a licence to a private player.
The Joint Action Committee of electricity employees said power supply would be restored immediately after the discussions.
Speaking in Panchkula, Vij said the state government had opposed the regulator’s decision from the beginning and had not invited applications from private entities for the proposed arrangement.
He explained that the central Electricity Act allows entities to approach the regulator with applications concerning the privatisation of specific areas. However, he said the state government and electricity department employees had opposed the move.
Vij said the government had agreed to invoke Section 108 of the Electricity Act, under which it believes it can issue directions to HERC to halt and annul the decision if it deviates from established policy.
“The Chief Minister and I have both signed the necessary letter and submitted it to the department, instructing them to take immediate action to halt this order,” Vij said.
He added that the government would also file an application seeking a review of the regulator’s order.
Describing the meeting with union leaders as cordial, Vij said another meeting had been scheduled for November 3 at 3 pm, when the government would provide a detailed account of the progress made on the issue.
The decision to call off the strike is expected to facilitate the restoration of electricity services, while the government’s proposed directions and review application will determine the next steps in the dispute over HERC’s licensing decision.