GURGAON: Haryana will invoke Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003, to intervene in the state electricity regulator’s decision to allow private power distribution in Gurgaon and Nuh, energy minister Anil Vij said on Friday, expressing confidence that the three-day strike by electricity employees would end within hours.




Vij said the government had reached an understanding with employee leaders on invoking the provision and that a meeting with union representatives had been scheduled for 3pm at the PWD Rest House in Panchkula. He appealed to employees to restore power supply as soon as possible, as the strike disrupted electricity services at several places on its first day.




“I have been saying from the first day that a strike is not the way forward. Employee leaders should come for talks. If they suggest an alternative, we will consider that too,” Vij said.




The minister said he had spoken to the chief minister and that it had been decided to invoke Section 108, as demanded by the striking employees. He added that union leaders had agreed to the proposal and would attend Friday’s meeting.




The strike was called to protest against the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission ’s decision to grant parallel electricity distribution licences to private company Eleven Power for Gurgaon and Nuh.




Explaining the proposed move, Vij said Section 108 provides for the state electricity regulatory commission to be guided by the state government’s policy directions in matters involving public interest. He said the government would use the provision to address the policy shift involved in allowing private participation in power distribution.




The precise effect of invoking the provision on the commission’s order would depend on the applicable legal process and the action taken by the government and the regulator.




Vij reiterated the government’s stand on the issue and urged employees to call off the strike and resume normal electricity supply.