Times News Network
Haryana energy minister Anil Vij
Chandigarh: Haryana energy minister Anil Vij on Friday said talks with electricity department employees’ unions over their proposed three-day strike from August 11 to 13 are continuing and expressed confidence that the govt would persuade them to call off the agitation.Vij said union representatives recently held detailed discussions with him and senior departmental officials and raised three key concerns: the proposed parallel power distribution licences, smart meters and the proposed Agri DISCOM.On the proposed parallel distribution licence, Vij said the matter is before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), an autonomous statutory body that functions independently of the Energy Department. The application, he said, was filed directly before HERC.Vij said the state government had formally opposed privatisation before the commission and departmental officials had placed the government’s objections on record during the proceedings. “This issue stands resolved,” he said.On smart meters, Vij said no tenders have been floated so far and the proposal is still under consideration. He also said there had been no discussion between him and chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on the proposed Agri DISCOM, making it premature to comment on its future course.According to Vij, the unions had initially indicated after the meeting that their concerns had been addressed, but later announced the strike after being allegedly “misled” by certain elements.“Discussions with the unions are continuing. Even today, Energy Department officers and officials are engaged in talks with them. I am fully confident that we will be able to convince the employees,” Vij said.Separately, Vij attacked the Congress, saying it was no longer a unified political party but a collection of factions driven by individual interests.Commenting on India’s successful Agni-4 ballistic missile launch, Vij said the country’s defence capabilities were being strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi across land, sea and air.
