Massive Power Outages Hit Gurugram as Electricity Employees Strike Over Privatisation
A three-day strike by around 40,000 Haryana electricity department employees has triggered widespread power outages across Gurugram, Nuh, Rewari, and several other districts. The agitation opposes the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's decision to grant a private firm a parallel power distribution licence in Gurugram and Nuh, with workers warning it risks public sector revenue and thousands of jobs. The blackout has affected over 50,000 households and roughly 1,800 manufacturing units, leading to severe disruptions in basic water supply and small commercial businesses. The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam logged more than 5,500 complaints within 12 hours as frustrated residents took to the streets to protest. Meanwhile, Haryana Power Minister Anil Vij initiated discussions at the PWD Rest House in Panchkula to break the stalemate, maintaining that the state government opposes privatisation and will legally challenge the regulatory commission's order to resolve the escalating crisis.