The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has claimed that the Haryana government is planning to hand over electricity distribution work in Gurugram and Nuh to a private company and has strongly opposed the proposed move, saying it is aimed at transferring public assets and revenue into private hands. 
Addressing reporters in Chandigarh in the past week, INLD senior leader and party patron Sampat Singh said the proposal should not be viewed as a power sector reform but as an attempt to transfer government infrastructure, public assets and electricity revenue to private entities. 
Singh questioned the government's intention behind the proposed electricity privatisation. He pointed out that Gurugram contributes nearly 42 per cent of the revenue earned by Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), making it one of the state's most important electricity distribution areas. 
He further stated that Gurugram has significantly lower distribution or line losses than the state average. According to him, while Haryana's overall line loss stands at 10.02 per cent, Gurugram records line losses of only 4.70 per cent, enabling the district to generate full electricity revenue. 
Based on these figures, Singh questioned why the government was considering privatising a distribution network that is already financially profitable. He argued that if privatisation was to be considered, it would have been more understandable in the case of loss-making utilities rather than a revenue-generating one. 
The former Haryana minister also maintained that electricity is an essential public service rather than a commercial product and alleged that attempts were being made to transfer control of Gurugram's power infrastructure and revenue to private operators. He said the party would continue opposing any such move involving public electricity assets. 
Singh also said that during the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) hearing held recently on the proposed electricity distribution licence, the INLD raised 112 objections against the proposed privatisation of power distribution in Gurugram. He added that the party considers the issue a long-term fight and will continue to pursue its objections before the regulatory authorities. 
Meanwhile, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has constituted an independent three-member expert committee through an interim order in connection with a petition seeking the grant of an electricity distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh districts. 
The commission observed that the proposal involves substantial investment and could have long-term implications for Haryana's power sector, electricity consumers, the existing distribution licensee, the transmission system and the overall regulatory framework. Considering these factors, it said an independent and impartial assessment of the proposal was necessary before any decision is taken. 
The committee will be chaired by former Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Alok Nigam. The other members include senior power sector expert Ravinder Kumar Sharma and finance and commercial affairs expert Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra. 
According to the commission, all three members have extensive experience in electricity distribution, public utilities, finance, technical matters and regulatory affairs. 
Under the interim order, the committee will review all pleadings, replies, objections, submissions and other records filed by the petitioner, respondents and intervenors. It will examine whether the petitioner has complied with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (Transmission and Distribution Licensing) Regulations, 2004, and the applicable requirements relating to capital adequacy, creditworthiness and the prescribed code of conduct for granting a distribution licence. 
The commission also clarified that the committee will function as an independent expert body and that its findings will be recommendatory in nature. The panel is scheduled to begin its work on July 13 and submit its report to the commission within 15 days. 
The issue comes at a time when power distribution reforms and private participation continue to remain a subject of debate across several states. While governments have argued that private participation can improve operational efficiency and service quality, employee unions and opposition parties have often raised concerns over the transfer of profitable public utilities, consumer interests and accountability. The expert committee's findings are expected to play an important role in HERC's decision on the proposed distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh. 
Source PTI