Haryana Energy Minister orders action for power outages beyond set limits
Cuts capped at two hours in urban areas, four hours in rural
Energy Minister Anil Vij on Friday issued directives to curb prolonged power outages and intensify action against power theft and defaulters across the state.
Reviewing electricity disruptions over the past six months, Vij directed officials to ensure that outages do not exceed two hours in urban areas and four hours in rural regions. He warned that strict action would be taken against responsible officers, particularly Superintending Engineers, with suspension in serious cases.
Emphasising the need for rapid restoration of supply, the minister instructed that maintenance teams be equipped with proper tools, safety gear and transformer trolleys to facilitate quick replacement of faulty transformers. The Commissioner and Secretary assured that all necessary safety equipment would be provided within two days.
Vij also directed that new power substations should not be established in waterlogged areas. If unavoidable, they must be constructed at least two feet above the anticipated water level, with a mandatory no-objection certificate from the department concerned. He further ordered proper maintenance and upgrade of substations and instructed that tree pruning near power lines be completed before the monsoon to prevent storm-related disruptions.
To enhance transparency in procurement, the minister called for the development of a dedicated online portal containing details of all electrical equipment across the state. The portal will include an administrative dashboard to monitor demand and streamline purchasing decisions.
Cracking down on power theft, Vij directed that all pending cases be presented in court within three months. He informed that 179 people had been arrested this year, while 39,529 FIRs were registered in 2024-25 and 56,953 in 2025-26.
He added that Rs 8,247 crore is to be recovered from defaulting consumers, including Rs 585 crore from government departments, and instructed officials to expedite recovery. Action will also be taken under Rule-8 against 3,224 consumers who obtained new connections despite pending dues.
