Chandigarh, December 23: The Haryana Right to Service Commission has taken strict cognisance of negligence, arbitrariness and violation of government instructions by officials of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVN) in a case related to the issuance of a new electricity connection. The Commission made it clear that the government circular on the matter was unambiguous and that demanding additional money from the applicant was completely against the rules.
A complainant from Hisar had applied for a new electricity connection under the LT category on July 15, 2025, for which the notified time limit is 15 days. However, even after more than five months, the connection was not released. The complainant alleged that officials at the Sub-Divisional Office in Narnaund deliberately harassed him and, despite the clear provisions of Circular No. D-37/2023, denied the applicable exemption of 300 metres. Instead, they issued an incorrect estimate and demand notice of ₹1,96,126.
Despite filing first and second appeals, neither was the estimate corrected nor was the service provided within the stipulated time. It was only after the matter reached the Commission through a revision petition that a corrected estimate of ₹1,03,410 was finally issued on November 11, 2025.
According to the Commission’s spokesperson, the inquiry clearly established that the delay in service and issuance of an incorrect demand were deliberate. Terming it a case of serious negligence and intentional harassment of the applicant, the Commission held the Sub-Divisional Officer guilty. A penalty of ₹5,000 has been imposed on the SDO under Section 17(1)(h) of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014, along with an order to pay compensation of ₹1,500 to the complainant.
In addition, show-cause notices have been issued to the then duty officer and the junior engineer, seeking an explanation as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them. Notices have also been issued recommending departmental action against the Superintending Engineer and the Executive Engineer for failing to discharge their responsibilities properly as SGRA and FGRA. The Commission has further directed the concerned SDO to mandatorily release the electricity connection to the applicant by December 26, 2025.
Reiterating its stand, the Haryana Right to Service Commission stated that providing time-bound services to citizens is a statutory obligation of departmental officers and that any violation of rules or arbitrary conduct will not be tolerated.
