Following the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) transferring electricity distribution powers to the private company 'Eleven Power' for a 25-year term in the Gurugram and Nuh districts, political and administrative turmoil has arisen in the state. This major move, made shortly before Janmashtami, was condemned by the employees' union of the power corporation as 'anti-people' and 'anti-worker.'
Employees claim that a deep scheme has been devised aimed at weakening the foundation of the state power corporation (DHBVN) by handing over the most profitable 'fat' areas to private hands, effectively providing the private company with state infrastructure built with public funds free of charge.
In response to the Commission's decision, power workers have announced large-scale protests across the state and issued an ultimatum for a complete three-day strike, scheduled from October 22 to 24. The burning of copies of this resolution is also planned for October 21. According to Ravindra Ghanghas, General Secretary of the Engineering Association, this strategy was developed during an emergency meeting on October 19. It is planned that on the third day of the strike, October 24, the start of the next phase of mass actions will be announced.
The union issued a serious warning that this privatization policy will negatively affect not only ordinary consumers, farmers, and small traders due to rising electricity prices but also jeopardize the future of about 40,000 permanent, temporary, and outsourced workers and engineers in Haryana. Employees believe that the private company will focus only on profitable zones, leaving the burden of unprofitable rural and agricultural areas to state corporations. The warning of a full three-day strike immediately after the holidays raises serious concerns about a possible collapse of the power supply system and a situation of power outages across the state.