Chennithala alleged that tenders were manipulated, and companies that quoted lower rates were sidelined, and contracts were awarded at 60–147 percent higher than the Union government’s benchmark.
Published Jul 11, 2025 | 12:35 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 11, 2025 | 12:38 PM
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala (Supplied)
Synopsis: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged massive irregularities worth over ₹100 crore in the PM-KUSUM solar pump scheme in Kerala, implemented through ANERT.
In a serious allegation against the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Ramesh Chennithala on Friday, 11 July, claimed massive irregularities worth over ₹100 crore in the PM-KUSUM solar pump scheme. It was implemented through the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) under the power department.
Addressing a press conference at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennithala said the ₹240-crore project, meant to provide solar pumps to farmers, has turned into one of the biggest scams in recent times.
“A tender worth ₹240 crore was illegally called by the ANERT CEO, whose financial authority is limited to ₹5 crore. This could not have happened without the tacit approval of the electricity minister,” he alleged.
The state government has not responded to the allegation yet.
Chennithala alleged that tenders were manipulated, and companies that quoted lower rates were sidelined, and contracts were awarded at 60–147 percent higher than the Union government’s benchmark. He pointed out that even companies without the required grading were handed out contracts at inflated rates.
Highlighting that the government borrowed ₹175 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the project at an interest rate of 5.25 percent, he questioned how funds were misused in a scheme intended to assist farmers.
“This is corruption without even having money in hand,” he said.
Chennithala demanded the immediate removal of the ANERT CEO and a comprehensive investigation into the irregularities.
He alleged that the state government’s disregard for financial propriety has pushed a welfare scheme into the grip of cronyism and corruption.
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, both the Union and the state governments are stipulated to contribute 30 percent each of the base price, while the remaining 40 percent is to be borne by the beneficiary.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
