Latest news with #AgencyforNewandRenewableEnergyResearchandTechnology
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Youth Congress workers stage protest at Anert office
The Youth Congress on Tuesday staged a protest at the office of the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) demanding a comprehensive probe into the alleged irregularities and corruption involved in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. The Youth Congress workers also demanded the removal of Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri from the post. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala had levelled allegations of corruption against Anert in connection with the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty has not taken any action against the CEO, they alleged. The Youth Congress workers were later removed by the police. Youth Congress State secretaries Rajith Raveendran and Afsal, district vice president Sulfi Balaramapuram and district secretary Gokul Shankar led the protest.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM-KUSUM scheme: Anert CEO refutes Chennithala's allegations
The implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme in Kerala was audited by the Principal Accountant General (PAG), Kerala, in September 2023, and no adverse findings were reported, Narendra Nath Veluri, chief executive officer, Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert), has said. Responding to The Hindu on Friday to the corruption allegations levelled by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala against Anert in the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme, Mr. Veluri said Anert considers the audit by a constitutional authority 'a key validation of procedural and financial compliance.' He further added that the PM-KUSUM scheme in Kerala is being implemented in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the financial protocols of the State government. PM-KUSUM is designed to help farmers access solar power for irrigation and decarbonise agriculture. Anert refuted Mr. Chennithala's allegation that the Anert CEO had invited tenders worth ₹240 crore for the project despite being authorised to invite tenders valued up to ₹5 crore. The tenders referred to are for the empanelment of vendors and discovery of unit rates for solar pump systems, not for the award of ₹240 crore worth of work, according to the Anert CEO. The unit price discovered from empanelled vendors through this process ranged from ₹2.3 lakh to ₹1 crore, depending on pump capacity, specifications, and type. 'This price discovery and empanelment mechanism is standard practice under Centrally sponsored schemes such as PM-KUSUM, and is adopted by all other State implementing agencies across the country,' he said. On the demands for further scrutiny and audits, the Anert CEO said that the recent audit by the PAG provides strong assurance of procedural integrity. 'Whether further scrutiny above Principal Accountant General will be required will be decided by competent authorities,' he said. Mr. Chennithala had demanded urgent intervention by the Chief Minister, a probe by an Assembly committee and a forensic audit into what he described as irregularities in Anert.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chennithala flags ‘irregularities' in Anert tender
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday renewed his allegation of large scale corruption in the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert). He accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and senior officials of being involved in alleged irregularities in a ₹240-crore tender issued by the agency. He also demanded the immediate removal of Anert CEO and called for a forensic audit of the agency's transactions over the past five years. For the fourth consecutive day, Mr. Chennithala released documents alleging misuse of power in tendering process and posed nine questions to Mr. Krishnankutty. 'The Minister cannot remain a mute spectator. This is not a private matter but one involving public money,' he told mediapersons in Kannur on Sunday. 'I made the allegation in public and any explanation must be given publicly and not behind closed doors with the Chief Minister,' he added. He alleged that a tender worth ₹240 crore was floated illegally despite the CEO's limit being ₹5 crore. 'How did the CEO get the authority? On whose order was this tender floated? If we get the answer to that, the real players behind the corruption will be exposed,' Mr. Chennithala said, adding that documents related to the tenders are in his possession. He further claimed that the CEO, a temporary employee and consultancy firm EY were at the centre of irregularites. A contract employees allegedly hired for the just 89 days, handled tender bids that should have been processed by the Finance department. This is a Swapna Suresh model appointment. The nexus involving the CEO, consultant and Minister's office is clear.' he alleged. 'Destruction of evidence' Mr. Chennithala also claimed that Anert's Finance department was deliberately kept in the dark. 'Since my revelations massive file destruction has begun inside Anert. Corruption evidence is being wiped out under the CEO's and consulting firm's leadership,' he alleged. Initially, the Minister said that the matter is being investigated by Electricity Secretary and a report will be submitted within 15 days. Later, the Minister told reporters said that since the Secretrary was not available, the Anert CEO himself will investigate and submit a report. He alleged that a ₹100-crore scam was perpetrated under the PM KUSUM solar scheme. It is a scheme for farmers, with 30% funding from the Centre, 30% from the State and the rest contributed by farmers. The government decided to borrow from NABARD due to insufficient funds. 'Without the knowledge of the Electricity Minister, how can such a massive decisions be taken? The responsibility lies with him too,' he said. He demanded that the Assembly constitute a committee to probe the allegations and called for a forensic audit by an independent agency. 'The CEO must be removed immediately to prevent further destruction of evidence,' Mr. Chennithala said. Responding to the allegations that Youth Congress workers collected funds through an app for the rehabilitation of people affected in Mundakayi, Wayanad, he hit back at the State government alleging a lack of transparency and accountability on its part in the utilisation of funds collected for the rehabilitation of people. Naveen Babu's death On the death of ADM Naveen Babu, Mr. Chennithala alleged that there has been a continuous effort to protect former district panchayat P.P. Divya. 'From the start the government machinery has tried to shield her. That is why the family had to approach the Supreme Court,' he said.
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ramesh Chennithala alleges massive irregularities in Anert solar projects, demands audit and probe by Assembly panel
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged massive irregularities in the implementation of solar power projects by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) for the Smart City project in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a forensic audit of Anert's finances over the past five years and a simultaneous probe by a committee of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, which he said were essential to unearth the corruption. Irregularities were rampant in the solar projects implemented by Anert for the fully centrally-funded Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project, he said. He cited instances where price differences of as much as 50% have occurred in the implementation of solar power projects of comparable capacity through different private firms. While it cost ₹38.39 lakh for implementing a 60 kW solar project at the Directorate of Technical Education, a 60 kW project implemented eight months later at the Institute of Land and Disaster Management cost only ₹25.2 lakh, a difference of ₹13.19 lakh, he alleged. Similarly, a 50 kW project was implemented at the Public Works Department at Vikas Bhavan at a cost of ₹33.31 lakh. But a 50 kW system deployed at the Directorate of Backward Classes cost only ₹19.06 lakh, the difference ₹14.25 lakh. Anert has implemented 514 projects over the past two years for the Smart City project, Mr. Chennithala said. These financial discrepancies are also clearly visible in the implementation of the installation of solar pumps under the PM KUSUM scheme, Mr. Chennithala said. While a 10 kW solar plant was installed at the Family Health Centre, Vizhinjam with a guarantee period of ten years, at a cost of ₹4.99 lakh, a 10 kW solar rooftop model under PM KUSUM costs ₹7.13 lakh. In the second instance, the warranty is for seven years. Irregularities in appointments Mr. Chennithala also alleged irregularities in certain appointments linked to Anert. A former executive assistant of Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri was employed by a major consultant of Anert at a very high salary, but was reassigned to Anert on deputation the very next day. Presenting documents, Mr. Chennithala said that the officer had left Anert on April 4, 2025, but was deployed as part of the consultant's team in Anert on April 5, which he claimed was highly unethical and suspicious. Mr. Chennithala has accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and the Anert CEO of having a hand in the irregularities. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a clarification from the Minister on his allegations. Mr. Krishnankutty was not available for comment on Mr. Chennithala's charges. Earlier this month, Mr. Chennithala had demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the ₹240 crore tender for the installation of solar pumps under the PM Kusum scheme.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demands investigation into PM-KUSUM tender
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Raising his demand for a comprehensive probe into alleged irregularities in ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology), senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty is also involved in the scam. Chennithala alleged irregularities in a Rs 240-crore tender issued for installing solar pumps under PM-KUSUM scheme. It's the second time Chennithala is raising the issue. He has called for legislative scrutiny and accused the power minister of being involved in the alleged scam. Chennithala alleged that ANERT CEO Narendranath Veluri exceeded his authority by sanctioning the tender, despite being permitted to approve contracts only up to Rs 5 crore. Chennithala said he would release more documents in the coming days related to the project. Both the minister and the ANERT CEO dismissed the allegations, stating that all relevant files had already been reviewed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Speaking to TNIE, Veluri said, 'The CAG has examined all our files and found no irregularities. Kerala is the only state that successfully implemented the PM-KUSUM project, and our model has even been shared with Telangana. Details of the implementation are available with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This allegation seems to be a politically motivated.'
