Massive Power Outage Across 15 Haryana Districts as Electricity Staff Strike; Minister Anil Vij Holds Talks in Panchkula

Panchkula/Chandigarh:

Normal life across Haryana remained severely crippled for the second consecutive day as electricity employees continued their indefinite strike. The protest was triggered by the state government's decision to grant a power distribution license to a private firm in Gurugram and Nuh. With over 15 districts facing severe blackouts, Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij has initiated crisis-resolution talks at the PWD Rest House in Panchkula.

High-Level Negotiations Underway
Prior to meeting the union representatives, Energy Minister Anil Vij held an extensive closed-door briefing with senior department bureaucrats to assess grid stability and contingency measures. Following this, negotiations with the strike leaders commenced.

However, Baljeet Beniwal, Vice President of the Haryana Power Employees and Engineers Joint Action Front, maintained a stern stance: "The strike will not be withdrawn until the privatization license issued to the private company is completely revoked."

15 Districts Hit: Blackouts, Blockades, and Stranded Commuters
The ripple effects of the statewide strike have disrupted both urban and rural centers:

Public Outrage & Roadblocks: In Hisar, residents took to the streets and blocked traffic after facing uninterrupted outages exceeding 24 hours. Demonstrations and road blockades were also reported in Kurukshetra, Faridabad, and Gurugram.

Prolonged Outages: Multiple urban and rural pockets of Gurugram and Hansi experienced power cuts lasting over 20 hours, paralyzing everyday routines and water supply networks.

Thermal Units Tripped: Operations took a major hit as two generating units at the Panipat Thermal Power Plant were forced offline.

Legal Work Suspended: Expressing solidarity and citing extreme disruptions, the Bar Associations in Kurukshetra and Kaithal suspended court work.

Electric Transit Halts: In Rewari, the electric bus fleet operating towards the Bawal industrial belt remained grounded due to power failure at charging stations, leaving hundreds of daily commuters stranded.

Political Backlash: Opposition Lambasts Nayab Saini Government
The strike has drawn heavy criticism from key opposition leaders:

Dushyant Chautala Backs Protesters: Former Deputy Chief Minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala announced unconditional support for the power staff, demanding an immediate rollback of the distribution license given to the private operator in Gurugram and Nuh.

AAP Questions Private Deal: Aam Aadmi Party leader Anurag Dhanda launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, stating that Haryana has been plunged into darkness for 36 hours. Dhanda questioned how Eleven Power Limited—a firm incorporated barely a year ago without prior track record—was awarded the crucial contract, alleging hidden kickbacks and questioning a potential "Gujarat connection."

All eyes are now on the ongoing negotiations in Panchkula to determine whether normal power supply will be restored across the affected districts.