Chandigarh, October 22, 2026: Electricity employees and engineers in Haryana are set to begin a three-day statewide strike from Thursday, October 22, to protest against a private company receiving a power-distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh.

The planned action has raised concerns over the continuity of electricity services across the state. The Haryana government has said it will challenge the regulatory decision and has moved to restrict leave for electricity officials and employees to help maintain essential services during the strike.

The dispute follows a decision by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) granting a 25-year distribution licence to private company Eleven Power Pvt Ltd for Gurugram and Nuh. Electricity employee unions oppose the move, arguing that private distribution could affect workers’ interests and consumers.

Why are Haryana electricity employees going on strike?

The principal demand of the protesting employees is the withdrawal of the private distribution licence granted to Eleven Power Pvt Ltd.

Employee representatives have argued that the entry of a private distributor could affect employment conditions, service security and the future structure of electricity distribution in the two areas.

The All Haryana Power Corporation Workers Union has opposed the regulatory decision. Union state president Suresh Rathi has alleged that the move could adversely affect both employees and consumers.

The union’s objections have led to demonstrations, including the burning of effigies of political leaders and the HERC chairman in Hisar earlier this week. The planned statewide strike represents an escalation of the dispute.

What is the Haryana government’s response?

Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij has said the state government will pursue a legal challenge against the HERC decision.

According to The Times of India, Vij said the government would appeal against the order before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) and seek a stay. He also indicated that the government was prepared to pursue the matter through the courts, if necessary.

The government has reportedly directed the department to expedite the appeal process and restricted leave for electricity officials and employees to help ensure that essential services continue during the strike.

The government’s legal challenge and the employees’ protest are separate developments: the state is seeking to contest the licensing decision through the regulatory and judicial process, while the unions are pressing for the licence to be withdrawn.

Will the strike affect electricity supply?

The strike has raised concerns about electricity distribution and the availability of staff to handle complaints, maintenance and emergency repairs.

However, the announcement of a strike does not automatically mean that electricity supply will be interrupted across Haryana. The extent of any disruption will depend on staff participation, contingency arrangements and the availability of personnel for essential services.

Consumers in Gurugram, Nuh and other parts of Haryana should follow official advisories from their electricity distribution companies and local authorities. Residents should also use official complaint channels to report outages or electrical emergencies.

At the time of publication, the available reports confirm the planned three-day strike and the government’s response, but do not establish that a statewide power outage has occurred.

Chandigarh invokes essential-services law to prohibit strike

The dispute over electricity employees has also drawn attention to a separate development in Chandigarh.

The Chandigarh administration has invoked the Haryana Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1974, to prohibit employees of Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) from going on strike for six months, according to The Tribune.

The order applies to Chandigarh’s power-distribution employees and should not be confused with the Haryana unions’ separate statewide strike announcement. Chandigarh’s action is intended to prevent industrial action in the power-distribution service, while Haryana’s employees are protesting against the private distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh.

What is the dispute over private power distribution?

Electricity distribution licences determine which companies are authorised to distribute power to consumers in a particular area. Such licences can affect how distribution services are organised, the responsibilities of operators and the structure of the sector.

Supporters of private participation generally argue that competition and investment can improve operational efficiency and service delivery. Opposing employee unions may raise concerns about job security, working conditions and the protection of consumers.

In the Haryana case, the immediate dispute concerns the 25-year licence granted to Eleven Power Pvt Ltd for Gurugram and Nuh. The final outcome will depend on the regulatory decision, the government’s appeal and any subsequent directions issued by the competent authorities.

What happens next?

The three-day strike is scheduled to run from October 22 through October 24. The key developments to watch are:

  • Whether electricity employees participate across Haryana.
  • Whether the state government obtains interim relief against the HERC licence order.
  • Whether electricity distribution and emergency services are affected.
  • Whether the government and employee unions enter negotiations.
  • Whether the Chandigarh administration’s six-month strike prohibition is challenged or modified.

The immediate priority will be maintaining uninterrupted essential electricity services while the legal dispute over the private distribution licence proceeds.