“Energy department employees should abandon the path of strike and join us; if anyone wants to give suggestions, let us know: Energy Minister Anil Vij”


“A strike would have been justified if we had not filed an appeal; the appeal will be filed in APTEL within 5–6 days: Minister Anil Vij”


“Rahul Gandhi should attend an RSS shakha for a few days”: Anil Vij


Chandigarh, October 22 — Haryana Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij, commenting on the strike by Haryana electricity employees in protest against licences granted for power distribution in Gurugram and Nuh, said that all arrangements have been made and the strike is unnecessary because the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has ordered that electricity be supplied to the private company. However, the department opposed the company with full strength, engaging a senior lawyer before the regulator. But it is an autonomous body; the government had not sought applications for privatising electricity. Under the central Act, however, any person or company can apply to be granted electricity distribution rights.


Sh. Vij was responding to questions from media personnel today.


Energy Minister Anil Vij said that he himself is against privatisation because so much public money and infrastructure have been invested, and employees’ jobs are at stake. Therefore, the government opposed it firmly, but the decision went against it. The government is now appealing against that decision in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) and is trying to obtain a stay against the regulatory commission’s order as soon as possible.


Energy Minister Anil Vij said he wants to tell employee leaders that a strike would have been justified only if the government had not filed an appeal. Although there is a 45-day period for filing an appeal, the government is working closely with officials so that the appeal can be filed within 5–6 days and a stay obtained.


He said to the employees: “Leave the path of strike and join us. If you want to give any advice to our lawyer while preparing the case, give it. If you want to appoint your own lawyer, do so. Or if you want to suggest another lawyer, tell us and we will hire that lawyer.” He added that the fight will have to be fought in court because this is a matter for the regulator. “Some foolish people are saying that the government gave electricity licence and the government is going in appeal. That cannot be so. It is not the government but the regulator. If they do not understand, they should read the Act.”


“Rahul Gandhi should attend an RSS shakha for a few days”: Anil Vij


Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the RSS, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that Rahul Gandhi has made such statements many times before. “But I want to ask Rahul ji whether he knows what the RSS is. Has he ever gone there? Has he seen what is taught there? Since he does not know and has no idea, if he wants to learn about the RSS, Rahul Gandhi should attend an RSS shakha for a few days.”


Responding to another question, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that untouchability is now a thing of the past. “Everyone is living as Indians and everyone should live as Indians.”
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HVAC Bus Service Between Chandigarh and Haridwar to Provide Enhanced Convenience to Passengers; Service to Commence on October 23, 2026 – Transport Minister Anil Vij

Timetable scheduled for Chandigarh–Haridwar and Haridwar–Chandigarh Services; Bus Service to Facilitate Passengers at Ambala, Yamunanagar, Saharanpur and Roorkee En Route – Anil Vij

Providing Passenger Convenience, Safe Travel and Better Transport Services Is a Priority of the Present Haryana Government – Vij

Chandigarh, October 22: Haryana Transport Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that the state government is continuously working to provide passengers with smooth, safe and convenient transport services. In this direction, the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) bus service between Chandigarh and Haridwar will commence on October 23, 2026, and its scheduled timetable will prove beneficial for passengers. He said the service would facilitate travel between Chandigarh, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Saharanpur, Roorkee and Haridwar.

The Transport Minister said that, keeping punctuality and passenger convenience in mind, departure times from various cities and arrival times at destinations had been scheduled accordingly. This would help passengers plan their journeys more effectively.

Chandigarh to Haridwar Bus Timetable

As per the prescribed timetable, the bus travelling from Chandigarh to Haridwar will depart from Chandigarh at 9:08 AM. It will subsequently depart from Ambala at 10:40 AM, Yamunanagar at 12:00 noon, Saharanpur at 12:50 PM, and Roorkee at 1:55 PM. The scheduled arrival time at Haridwar is 2:40 PM.

Return Journey: Haridwar to Chandigarh

Similarly, the bus travelling from Haridwar to Chandigarh will depart from Haridwar at 3:50 PM, Roorkee at 4:40 PM, Saharanpur at 5:50 PM, Yamunanagar at 6:40 PM, and Ambala Cantt at 7:50 PM. The bus is scheduled to arrive at the Chandigarh Bus Stand at 9:00 PM.

Sh. Anil Vij said that an improved public transport system not only provides passengers with a convenient travel experience but also strengthens connectivity between different cities. He added that the present state government is committed to providing better bus services according to passengers’ needs and ensuring that they do not face unnecessary difficulties while travelling.

He further said that the Haryana Transport Department is committed to providing convenient, safe and well-organised transport services to passengers. Sh. Vij said that the bus service on the Chandigarh–Haridwar route would offer passengers a convenient travel option.

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*Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij Urges Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Expedite Construction of ESIC Hospital in Sector 33, Ambala*

*Land measuring 20,974 square metres, valued at approximately ₹13 crore, handed over to ESIC; calls for expediting construction and setting a definite timeline*

Chandigarh, October 22: Haryana Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij has urged Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to take the necessary steps to expedite the construction of the proposed Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Sector 33, Ambala, and ensure that the project is completed within a stipulated timeframe. In a letter to the Union Minister, Sh. Vij highlighted the importance of the project and requested him to direct the concerned ESIC authorities to expedite the requisite administrative and technical procedures.

In his letter, Sh. Anil Vij said that the construction of the ESIC Hospital in Ambala would be an important step towards providing accessible and quality healthcare facilities to insured employees, their dependants and residents of neighbouring districts. The hospital would facilitate access to specialised medical services and reduce the need for patients to travel to distant healthcare institutions for treatment.

*Possession of 20,974 Square Metres of Land Already Handed Over to ESIC – Vij*

The Labour Minister mentioned in his letter that possession of 20,974 square metres of land allotted by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Ambala, has been handed over to the Regional Director of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation at Panchdeep Bhawan, Faridabad. The land is valued at approximately ₹13 crore and was allotted by the Estate Officer, HSVP, Ambala.

Sh. Vij said that the land required for the construction of the hospital is already available and that the project now needs to be expedited. He urged the Union Minister of Labour and Employment to direct the concerned ESIC authorities to complete all pending administrative, technical and other requisite formalities on priority so that construction work can commence at the earliest.

*Residents of Ambala and Neighbouring Districts to Benefit – Vij*

The Labour Minister said that the establishment of an ESIC Hospital in Ambala would help insured employees and their families access specialised medical services in a timely manner. It would also reduce the need for patients from Ambala and neighbouring districts to travel to distant healthcare institutions for better treatment. Furthermore, the hospital would help improve the availability of healthcare services in the region and ease the patient burden on existing hospitals.

He emphasised that the health and welfare of workers and employees are integral to social and economic development. Ensuring access to affordable, quality and easily accessible medical facilities is essential. The proposed ESIC Hospital in Ambala would play an important role in this regard and help strengthen healthcare protection for employees and their dependants.

*Urges for a Definite Timeline for Commencement and Completion of Construction*

Sh. Anil Vij also urged the Union Minister of Labour and Employment to take the necessary measures to establish a clear timeline for the commencement and completion of the hospital project. He expressed confidence that prioritising the matter at the Central Government level would accelerate the project and enable the people of Ambala to benefit from this long-awaited healthcare facility at the earliest.

The Labour Minister said that the construction of the ESIC Hospital in Sector 33, Ambala, would be an important initiative in the interest of Haryana’s workers, employees and their families. He emphasised that the project must be expedited and completed within a stipulated timeframe