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.