The Haryana government will challenge the grant of a parallel electricity distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), Energy Minister Anil Vij said on Wednesday, adding that the appeal would be filed within the next five to six days, well inside the prescribed 45-day limit, and that the government would also seek a stay on the decision.

Vij made the remarks in Chandigarh while responding to questions about the proposed strike by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Sanyukt Sangarsh Morcha against the licence. He said the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) is an autonomous body set up under central electricity law, that any eligible party can apply to it, and that the state government had neither invited applications nor sought privatisation. The government had opposed the licence strongly before the Commission and, now that HERC has ruled against its position, will appeal, he said.

CM Saini assures employees, orders uninterrupted supply

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chaired a review meeting with administrative secretaries on Wednesday to assess the situation. He assured employees that the government stands firmly with them and will strongly oppose the decision before APTEL, and said that if the unions wish, the government is prepared to engage lawyers of their choice. Saini appealed to the unions to refrain from striking and resolve concerns through dialogue, and directed departments to stay proactive so that electricity services remain uninterrupted, particularly during the festive season, and that law and order is maintained.

Strike goes ahead despite the appeal assurance

A delegation of electricity employees met Vij on Wednesday, a day before the strike was scheduled to begin. Despite the minister's appeal to call off the agitation and the government's assurance that it would challenge the regulatory decision, the employees remained firm on striking, viewing the licence as a step towards privatisation, News89 reported. The strike is set to run for three days from Thursday.

HERC granted Eleven Power Private Limited the 25-year parallel licence in an order issued on Monday, citing delays in new connections and load increases; data submitted by the state utility DHBVNL showed 1,08,590 applications for new meters and load increases pending as of October 2025, according to reports on the order. The company has committed to invest Rs 4,716.73 crore — yaani over Rs 4,700 crore — over five years if the licence takes effect.

The outcome of the proposed appeal and the licence's implementation plan — due within 60 days of the grant, including a consumer migration protocol — will determine whether consumers in parts of Gurugram and Nuh gain a second electricity supplier alongside the state-owned DHBVNL.