In his letter, Chennithala alleged irregularities worth over ₹100 crore in the implementation of the Centre’s solar pump scheme for farmers.
Published Jul 25, 2025 | 10:11 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 10:44 AM
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala (Supplied)
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has written an open letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding a forensic audit and a probe by the Legislative Committee into alleged corruption in ANERT, a state-run PSU, in connection with the PM Kusum scheme.
In his letter, Chennithala alleged irregularities worth over ₹100 crore in the implementation of the Centre’s solar pump scheme for farmers.
He accused the ANERT CEO and a group of temporary employees, allegedly backed by consulting firm EY, of manipulating tenders, sidelining the finance department, and inflating costs.
Chennithala questioned how a ₹240 crore tender was floated when the CEO’s limit was ₹5 crore and why a previous, lower-quoted tender was abruptly cancelled.
He claimed tenders were modified post-opening and contracts awarded at rates 145 percent higher than the base price set by the Centre.
He further alleged that a temporary ANERT staffer was irregularly appointed to EY on “special recommendation” and later brought back as a consultant in a manner he compared to the controversial “Swapna Suresh model.”
Chennithala also blamed the Electricity Minister, alleging that the official’s silence and the sanction of a ₹175 crore NABARD loan indicated ministerial complicity.
Terming the Finance Department’s recent inspection a “farce,” Chennithala urged the Chief Minister to remove the CEO and initiate an independent forensic audit of all ANERT transactions from the last five years.
“Only then,” he said, “will the full extent of the corruption be exposed.”
