Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday announced that power department employees called off their strike, which had paralysed electricity supply operations in the state, after the government agreed to invoke Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003, directing the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to revoke its decision to grant a licence to a private company for supplying electricity in Gurugram and Nuh.
“Let me reiterate in the strongest possible terms that there will be no privatisation of electricity services,” the CM said after a meeting with the Haryana Power Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front in Panchkula.
“The state government is committed to protecting the interests of consumers and ensuring the welfare of power employees. “Accordingly, officials have been directed to take immediate action. In order to address the concerns of electricity employees, the government had convened a meeting that was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.
Addressing a news conference, Saini said the state government has issued directions to the HERC under Section 108 (of the Electricity Act, 2003) to cancel the order in question. The energy minister said that during the discussion with representatives of electricity employees’ unions, it was agreed that under Section 108 of the Electricity Act, the state government can issue necessary directions to the HERC. In addition, under Section 94 of the Act, we will also file a review petition, and officials have been directed in this regard,” Vij said. He added that the government had invoked Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003—which governs the power of state governments to issue policy directions to state electricity regulatory commissions—for approaching the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC).
This has been the government’s consistent stand from the very beginning,” said the CM. Saini said that during the discussions, the government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the government’s stated position and assured the employees’ representatives of full support. “The government’s position is clear and consistent,” he said, adding that much before the HERC passed its order, the energy minister had clearly articulated the government’s position on this issue in the state assembly. “The minister’s statement (in the assembly) reflected the government’s unequivocal stand that we are opposed to privatisation,” Saini said, assuring that the government remains firm in its position. Earlier reporting noted: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, at joint press conference with union representatives, said the strike had been called off.
Earlier reporting noted: Union welcomes government’s decision Union welcomes government’s decision Earlier reporting noted: Haryana power employees call off strike after government moves to block license to Gurugram private firm The Haryana government on Friday said it has told the state electricity regulatory commission to cancel the decision to award a parallel distribution licence to a private firm for Gurugram and Nuh that had triggered a strike by employees of state-owned power company and consequent blackouts in these areas for the past three days.
