Haryana power distributors seek regulatory review as industry bodies file appeals

The power distribution companies operating in Haryana have initiated proceedings seeking a review of their operating licences, signalling mounting tensions within the state's electricity sector. The move comes as the Haryana Power Engineers Association (HPEA) and the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) have taken parallel action to safeguard their interests.

Both the HPEA and AIPEF have filed caveats before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), a key regulatory body overseeing India's power sector disputes. These filings are designed to prevent any unilateral decisions from being made without giving the state government and power engineers an opportunity to present their positions.

The caveat filings represent a strategic move to ensure procedural fairness in the ongoing regulatory matter. By lodging these notices, the associations aim to guarantee that any orders passed by APTEL will only be issued after all stakeholders have been afforded a hearing, preventing ex-parte rulings that could disadvantage their members.

The dispute highlights ongoing challenges within Haryana's power distribution infrastructure, where multiple stakeholders—including companies, engineering bodies, and government entities—hold competing interests. The resolution of these licence-related issues could have significant implications for the state's electricity supply and management going forward.