Latest news with #RameshChennithala
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Anert's note contains blatant lies: Chennithala
T'puram: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the note released by Anert in response to his questions to the electricity minister regarding the multi-crore scam related to the PM KUSUM scheme, which provides free solar pumps to farmers in Kerala, contains blatant lies. "This explanation confirms all the corruption allegations I have raised. Anert's note, filled with falsehoods, is part of the electricity minister's attempt to evade answering the allegations," Chennithala said. He said the official has listed such blatant lies to cover up the corruption conducted on behalf of the electricity minister. "We all witnessed what happened to the former principal secretary to the chief minister, who justified a consultancy corruption deal I exposed during the previous govt's tenure. The same fate awaits this official," he added. "If attempts to protect this corrupt official continue, another major corruption involving him will soon be exposed. The govt has become one that charges commissions through consultancies," Chennithala said. When Anert called for a tender worth Rs 240cr, the CEO's authority was only Rs 5cr. Anert's claim that they did not call for a Rs 240-cr tender is a blatant lie. Kerala's e-tender portal clearly recorded the Rs 240-cr tender. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Similarly, the explanation given for amending the financial bid is strange. The most important aspect of a financial bid is the amount recorded. Amending a bid means changing the amount, he added. Another major falsehood is the claim that the CAG report approved this tender process. The CAG report examining the tender processing of this period has not yet been released, making this claim a blatant violation of service rules by the Anert official concerned, he said. The beneficiaries of the commission from the multi-crore transactions through Anert will soon be revealed. The electricity minister can no longer evade this issue. "I have all the evidence and documents of the corruption and irregularities. I challenge the minister for a detailed investigation. The minister should face the investigation with dignity instead of hiding behind officials. An investigation of Anert's transactions over the past five years should be conducted, and the legislative assembly committee should recommend an inquiry," demanded Ramesh Chennithala.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Kerala Power Department a syndicate of corruption: Ramesh Chennithala
Thiruvananthapuram, July 25 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that the Kerala Power Department took a loan of Rs 175 crore from NABARD under the guise of a solar project to facilitate corruption, with the support of a secretive group within ANERT. In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, AICC Working Committee member Chennithala said the Power Department has become a 'syndicate of corruption' operating with borrowed funds. The former Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly also demanded a forensic audit and a Legislative Committee probe into a major corruption scandal worth over Rs 100 crore in ANERT, a public sector institution, related to the Central Government's PM-KUSUM scheme- intended to provide farmers with free solar-powered pumps. "Simultaneously, due to the failure to utilize funds allocated by the Centre under the KUSUM scheme, the government was forced to return unutilized amounts. Irregularities worth crores have also occurred in the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project—not just in the KUSUM scheme," he pointed out. Chennithala alleged that the ANERT CEO, who is only authorized to issue tenders up to Rs 5 crore, issued a tender worth Rs 240 crore for the project. "Despite my repeated demands, the Power Minister has refused to clarify who approved this tender. It is impossible for such a large tender to proceed without the minister's knowledge. The circumstances behind this approval must be made public," he said. He also noted that the first tender—which had a lower quoted amount- was cancelled, and a second tender was floated. "The reason for cancelling the first tender needs to be disclosed," he demanded. "The second tender received quotes up to 145% higher than the base price fixed by the Centre. This must be explained. Contracts were awarded at amounts higher than several of the submitted bids," he added. Even after the tenders were opened, modifications were made—serious procedural violations, Chennithala alleged. "These actions were carried out by the CEO in collusion with a temporary employee close to him. It must be investigated on whose instructions this was done." He also pointed to irregularities in consultancy appointments. "The government has a clear protocol for appointing consultancy firms. But ANERT blatantly violated these rules. A temporary employee at ANERT was appointed—on special recommendation—in a consulting firm (EY), in a manner reminiscent of the Swapna Suresh model." "Based on the CEO's recommendation, this individual resigned from ANERT and was immediately reappointed as a consultant to ANERT by EY, as confirmed by an email from the firm. These are unheard-of and highly irregular practices." Chennithala claimed that a secret group consisting of temporary employees and EY consultants operated in coordination with the ANERT CEO, bypassing the institution's Finance Department. "Such massive irregularities would not have been possible without the full backing of the Power Minister." "The CEO acted far beyond his official jurisdiction. Sensitive matters like the opening of tenders were handled entirely by temporary staff and the consulting firm EY, sidelining the Finance Department. It is evident that these actions were taken with the intent to commit corruption," he said. "Yet, the Power Minister has not even had the decency to suspend the ANERT CEO or order a proper investigation. It is now clear beyond doubt that the Power Minister himself is involved in this corruption." "Since the department refuses to initiate an inquiry, I urge the Chief Minister to personally intervene and take strong action." "We have learned through media reports that the Finance Department conducted a 'lightning inspection' at ANERT. This is nothing but a mockery. Such token actions cannot cover up the serious irregularities committed." Chennithala demanded that all transactions carried out by ANERT over the past five years be subjected to a forensic audit by an independent agency. "The Legislative Committee must also be entrusted with an inquiry. Only then can the full extent of the corruption be revealed. Despite the government's financial constraints, the Power Department took a ₹175 crore loan from NABARD to facilitate this corruption," his letter said. "I hope you will act swiftly and take the necessary steps in this matter. The ANERT CEO should be suspended immediately, and all transactions must be reviewed and subjected to a forensic audit," he concluded. UNI DS RKM
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.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘ANERT corruption linked to illegal appointment', says Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday said the alleged corruption in ANERT had links with an illegal appointment there. Chennithala had recently demanded a comprehensive probe into alleged irregularities in the Rs 240-crore tender floated for installing solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The former Leader of Opposition said the executive assistant of ANERT was hired by a consultancy firm illegally. The firm hired him at a high salary and deputed him to ANERT as the CEO's executive assistant. The person had earlier assisted the CEO in the procedures to appoint the firm as ANERT's consultant, Chennithala said. 'This shows how the firm got the consultancy contract,' he said. Further, Chennithala said ANERT receives funds worth crores from the Union and state governments. 'None of the ANERT staff has a role in the tender procedures to spend these funds. Either temporary staffers or private consultancy firms are involved in such procedures,' 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.
