Gurgaon: While all 95 urban areas in Haryana have round-the-clock power supply, 1,145 of the state’s 7,250 villages are still receiving electricity for only 16 hours a day, according to data presented by energy minister Anil Vij in the state assembly. Of these, 980 villages are in south Haryana.The figures show that 6,105 villages, or 84.2% of the state’s villages, have been brought under the 24-hour supply system, while the remaining 1,145, or 15.8%, are yet to be covered. The 16-hour figure refers to the scheduled supply available to these villages through the distribution network; it does not necessarily reflect the total electricity actually received, which is often affected by local breakdowns or faults.Vij said the govt was working to bring the remaining villages under the 24-hour system in phases. “The transition depends on strengthening the distribution infrastructure in these areas and bringing feeder loads within prescribed limits,” he said.Under Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), 2,686 villages are receiving 24-hour supply, while 980 receive 16 hours. Under Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), 3,419 villages have 24-hour supply, while 165 receive 16 hours.The gap in scheduled supply remains significant for rural households and businesses that depend on electricity for irrigation, small industries, shops and other daily activities.During 2025-26, Haryana purchased electricity worth Rs 40,918.30 crore. The state generated or received 2,13,013.29 lakh units from within Haryana and procured another 5,55,604.30 lakh units from outside the state, taking the total to 7,68,617.59 lakh units.The state’s distribution network has also faced weather-related damage. Vij said storms between May and July this year damaged 37,892 electricity poles in Sirsa, disrupting supply in villages. He said energy department employees restored the damaged infrastructure within a short period.The state is also dealing with a manpower shortage in the energy department. Of 53,289 sanctioned posts, 27,746 are occupied by regular employees, leaving 25,543 vacant. Another 15,362 personnel are engaged through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited, Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation, contractors, part-time arrangements and direct outsourcing.Vij said work is continuing to strengthen feeders and distribution infrastructure in villages still receiving 16-hour supply and that they would be brought under the 24-hour system once the prescribed conditions were met.
