*No leniency will be tolerated in electricity theft – Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*“Now the Energy Department has come under Anil Vij, and everyone must pay their electricity bills — free electricity will no longer be available” – Anil Vij*

*“The issue of power disruption caused by tree branches touching power lines will be resolved” – Vij*

*“A large-scale campaign will be launched to trim and cut trees” – Vij*

Chandigarh, October 14: Haryana Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that the problem of power supply interruptions caused by tree branches touching electric lines will now be resolved. A large-scale campaign will be launched across the state to cut and trim trees so that strong winds or tall tree branches do not disrupt the electricity supply. Sh. Vij said this campaign will be conducted throughout Haryana, and all concerned officers must run it extensively in their respective areas.

Sh. Vij emphasized, “No leniency will be tolerated in electricity theft because now the Energy Department is under Anil Vij — electricity bills must be paid; free electricity will not be provided.”

Sh. Vij was presiding over a review meeting of the Energy Department officers today at the UT Guest House in Chandigarh. Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, Sh. Apoorva Kumar Singh, along with other officers, wer present in the meeting.

*“All overloaded transformers and conductors should be upgraded” – Vij*

Additionally, he directed officers to replace all overloaded transformers and upgrade overloaded conductors. Departmental officials informed him that work on this is already underway and will soon be completed in the remaining areas. Sh. Vij further said that although power companies have reduced line losses, more efforts are needed to reduce to further to ensure high-quality power supply to consumers.

*“Adequate maintenance staff must be deployed and safety equipments must be used” – Vij*

He also instructed officers to maintain a separate bank of transformers so that faulty ones can be replaced immediately. The minister said that adequate maintenance staff must be deployed since staff shortages often delay power restoration. Sh. Vij emphasized that maintenance personnel must have complete safety equipment to avoid accidents while repairing supply lines. He warned that no maintenance staff should climb poles without safety gear.

*“All call centers in the state must operate smoothly” – Vij*

Sh. Vij also directed that all complaint centers must function properly and that call center numbers and contact information should be clearly displayed at all power offices for public convenience. He said that “We all must work together to improve the image of the power department so that our electricity companies can eventually be listed on the stock market.” He added that he wants the state’s power companies to perform better and rank among the top.

*“Officers must ensure uninterrupted power supply on Diwali” – Vij*

The minister gave special instructions to officials, saying, “The festive season is on, and Diwali — the festival of lights — is approaching. All circle and senior officers must ensure that there is no power outage on Diwali day.” Sh. Vij said that this year’s peak season has been better in terms of electricity supply, with power distribution remaining stable in almost all circles. While some areas faced issues, efforts were made to resolve promptly.

*“Substations and powerhouses that are below ground level should be raised before the next monsoon season” – Vij*

To prevent flooding, Sh. Vij instructed officials to raise all substations and powerhouses that are prone to waterlogging before the next monsoon season. New substations should also be built on elevated ground. During the meeting, he also reviewed the progress of the Mhara Gaon–Jagmag Gaon scheme and issued necessary directions.

*Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam recovers Rs. 492.57 crore*

The minister was informed that between April 16, 2025, and September 30, 2025, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam recovered Rs. 492.57 crore from defaulting consumers. The recoveries include Rs.18.64 crore from Panchkula, Rs. 23.89 crore from Ambala, Rs.117.05 crore from Yamunanagar, Rs. 23.21 crore from Kurukshetra, Rs. 46.21 crore from Kaithal, Rs.32.37 crore from Karnal, Rs. 73.93 crore from Panipat, Rs.54.84 crore from Sonipat, Rs. 57.12 crore from Rohtak, and Rs. 45.31 crore from Jhajjar.

*Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam recovers Rs. 489.65 crore*

Similarly, between April 16, 2025, and September 30, 2025, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam recovered Rs. 489.65 crore, including Rs. 22.99 crore from Gurugram-2, Rs.5.81 crore from Gurugram-1, Rs. 42.49 crore from Faridabad, Rs.102.24 crore from Palwal, Rs. 28.77 crore from Narnaul, Rs. 12.82 crore from Rewari, Rs.50.82 crore from Bhiwani, Rs. 97.36 crore from Hisar, Rs. 41.86 crore from Fatehabad, Rs. 29.14 crore from Sirsa, and Rs. 55.35 crore from Jind.

*“Officials must coordinate with village heads regarding electricity theft and recovery” – Vij*

Sh. Vij directed officials to take strict action against defaulter consumers and recover dues promptly; otherwise, legal action will be taken. He instructed officers to meet with village sarpanches in areas where electricity theft is widespread and recoveries are pending, to ensure cooperation in collections. A comprehensive campaign for recovery will be launched in such villages, involving deputy commissioners and senior district officers. Sh. Vij said he himself will regularly monitor the recovery progress.

*“Collect data on habitual electricity thieves and take legal action” – Vij*

While reviewing electricity theft cases, Sh. Vij reiterated that “The Energy Department is now under Anil Vij — everyone must pay for electricity; free electricity will not be available.” He directed officials to prepare a detailed action plan to curb electricity theft and to take strict legal action against offenders. He warned that no leniency will be tolerated in such cases and ordered data collection on habitual offenders, with firm legal action against them within a month.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Ashok Meena, Managing Director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam; Sh. Ashok Garg, Managing Director of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam; Sh. J. Ganesan, Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam along with Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, and other senior officials from all circles across the state.