Chandigarh: The Haryana government has appointed retired IAS officer Arun Kumar Gupta as the new Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC). Gupta previously served as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The formal appointment order was issued by the state’s Energy Department on Friday, November 6. His tenure will be five years from the date he takes the oath of office or until he attains the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
The appointment has come shortly after Gupta’s retirement from government service on September 30, 2026.
Arun Kumar Gupta’s Appointment as HERC Chairman
According to the appointment order, issued by the Energy Department under Sections 82 and 89 of the Electricity Act, 2003, Gupta has been appointed by the Governor of Haryana to head the state’s electricity regulatory body.
The order was issued by Ashima Brar, Commissioner and Secretary, Energy Department.
The appointment follows the vacancy in the HERC chairperson’s post after the death of its previous chairman, Nand Lal Sharma, on July 23, 2026. Senior commission member Mukesh Garg had been handling the responsibilities in the interim.
Who Is Arun Kumar Gupta?
Arun Kumar Gupta is a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Haryana cadre. Before retiring on September 30, 2026, he held several senior administrative responsibilities in the state government.
His key assignments included:
- Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister: Gupta served as Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini until his retirement.
- Finance Department: He also held the charge of Finance Secretary before retiring.
- Town and Country Planning: He previously served in senior positions in the department, including as Director General and Administrative Secretary.
- Urban Local Bodies: He also held responsibilities in the Urban Local Bodies Department.
The Haryana government had earlier sought a one-year extension of his service, but the proposal was not approved by the Centre.
78 Applications Received for HERC Chairman’s Post
The appointment process had attracted applications from several serving and retired bureaucrats and other eligible professionals.
According to earlier reports, the state received 78 applications for the HERC chairperson’s post. Gupta was among the names discussed for the position, along with other senior officers, including IAS officer Sudhir Rajpal.
The government has now selected Gupta for the post.
What Is the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission?
The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission is the state’s statutory electricity regulator. It operates under the Electricity Act, 2003, and is responsible for regulatory functions relating to the electricity sector in Haryana.
Its responsibilities include:
- Determining electricity tariffs in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
- Regulating electricity generation, transmission and distribution within its jurisdiction.
- Issuing licences and overseeing the functioning of licensed electricity utilities.
- Protecting consumer interests and promoting efficiency in the electricity sector.
- Adjudicating disputes and carrying out other regulatory functions under the Electricity Act.
Gupta’s appointment places him at the head of the regulatory body responsible for overseeing key aspects of Haryana’s electricity sector.
