Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij says the government will challenge the Gurugram-Nuh electricity licence decision in APTEL within 5–6 days and seek a stay.
The Haryana government will challenge the decision to grant electricity distribution licences for Gurugram and Nuh before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) within the next five to six days, Energy Minister Anil Vij has announced. The state government will also seek a stay on the decision and pursue all available legal remedies to contest the order.
Speaking to media representatives in Chandigarh on October 21, Vij said the government stood firmly with electricity employees and was committed to protecting their interests. His statement came amid a proposed strike by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Sanyukt Sangarsh Morcha over the electricity distribution licence decision.
The minister clarified that the government disagreed with the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (HERC) decision and would continue its legal fight against the order.
Haryana Government to File Appeal Within 5–6 Days
Anil Vij said the prescribed period for filing an appeal before APTEL is 45 days. However, he has directed the department to complete the necessary formalities and file the appeal within five to six days.
The Haryana electricity licence decision challenge will focus on contesting the order granting distribution licences for Gurugram and Nuh. The state government also intends to request a stay to prevent the decision from being implemented while the legal proceedings are underway.
Vij said the department had already engaged experienced lawyers and presented its objections before the regulatory commission. Since HERC ruled against the government’s position, the state has decided to approach the appellate tribunal.
Government Says HERC Is an Independent Regulatory Body
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the decision, Vij said HERC is an autonomous regulatory body established under electricity legislation enacted by the Central Government.
According to the minister, eligible applicants can approach the commission to seek an electricity distribution licence. He maintained that the Haryana government had neither invited applications nor sought proposals to privatise electricity distribution in the areas concerned.
He added that the licence was granted following an application submitted to the commission, but the state government strongly opposed the outcome.
The government will now challenge the order through the prescribed legal process rather than accept a decision with which it disagrees.
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Anil Vij Says Government Stands With Electricity Employees
The proposed strike by electricity employees and engineers has brought the issue into focus. Vij said the government understood the concerns of employees and remained committed to defending their interests.
He also urged employee representatives to engage in dialogue and cooperate with the government’s legal team. According to the minister, union leaders who have alternative proposals should submit them for consideration.
Vij said employee representatives could appoint their own lawyer if they wished, but suggested that working together with the government’s legal team would help strengthen the case.
He emphasised that dialogue remained the best way to resolve disputes and said his doors were open for further discussions.
Legal Fight May Reach the Supreme Court
The Energy Minister made it clear that the government would not limit its efforts to APTEL if the dispute remained unresolved.
He said the state would first challenge the decision before the appellate tribunal and could approach the Supreme Court if necessary. The government intends to use all available legal options to contest the electricity distribution licence order.
The Haryana electricity licence decision challenge is therefore expected to move forward through the legal system, with the state seeking both an appeal and interim relief against implementation of the decision.
Vij reiterated that the government would continue the case until it had exhausted the available legal remedies.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Briefed on the Matter
Vij also confirmed that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had been informed about the situation and the steps the government planned to take.
The Chief Minister was apprised of the proposed appeal and the government’s intention to seek a stay on the decision. Vij said the state remained committed to protecting electricity employees while pursuing the matter through the appropriate legal channels.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the filing of the appeal before APTEL, which the Energy Minister expects to happen within five to six days. The government will also seek a stay on the disputed order.
Meanwhile, discussions with employee representatives may continue as the proposed strike remains a concern. The outcome of the legal proceedings and any further dialogue between the government and unions could determine how the dispute develops.
The Haryana electricity licence decision challenge will be closely watched by electricity employees and other stakeholders in Gurugram and Nuh. For now, the state government’s position is clear: it intends to contest HERC’s decision through the appellate process and, if required, take the matter to the Supreme Court.
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