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.
Published – July 20, 2025 05:02 pm IST
