CM Nayab Saini says Haryana power plant workers' strike called off: 'There will be no privatization of any kind'

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Friday that electricity workers have called off the strike after the state government invoked Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and ordered the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to review its order allowing private companies to distribute electricity in Gurugram and Nuhu.

Addressing a joint press conference with union representatives in Panchkula, Saini said the government had assured them of its support and that the workers would return to duty immediately. He reiterated that the state government was against the privatization of electricity distribution.

Saini said the HERC is an independent body governed by its own legislation and the state government must comply with its orders and directives. However, he said the government has now exercised its power under Section 108 and asked the commission to reconsider the matter and effectively withdraw the provision allowing private distribution.

The Chief Minister insisted that the government is firmly behind the electricity employees and will not allow privatization in the state.

“We have consistently maintained that we are fully behind the Electricity Employees’ Union and we reiterate that stand today. It should be noted that HERC (Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission) is an independent agency operating under its own law. Under that law, it functions, offers suggestions, gives instructions and issues directives. We are also required to implement its orders and orders from time to time,” Saini said.

He added: “Today we have reached a decision. The Government, in exercise of its Section 108 powers, has ordered HERC to review the matter and effectively repeal the provision…All union representatives are here with us at this joint press conference following our discussions. The Government have given full assurances. They have said the strike is called off. Our workers there will now have absolutely no duty of care.”

(This is a developing story. More to come)