logo
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demands investigation into PM-KUSUM tender

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demands investigation into PM-KUSUM tender

New Indian Express19 hours ago
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Raising his demand for a comprehensive probe into alleged irregularities in ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology), senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty is also involved in the scam. Chennithala alleged irregularities in a Rs 240-crore tender issued for installing solar pumps under PM-KUSUM scheme.
It's the second time Chennithala is raising the issue. He has called for legislative scrutiny and accused the power minister of being involved in the alleged scam. Chennithala alleged that ANERT CEO Narendranath Veluri exceeded his authority by sanctioning the tender, despite being permitted to approve contracts only up to Rs 5 crore. Chennithala said he would release more documents in the coming days related to the project.
Both the minister and the ANERT CEO dismissed the allegations, stating that all relevant files had already been reviewed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
Speaking to TNIE, Veluri said, 'The CAG has examined all our files and found no irregularities. Kerala is the only state that successfully implemented the PM-KUSUM project, and our model has even been shared with Telangana. Details of the implementation are available with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This allegation seems to be a politically motivated.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Breaking News Live Updates: IS-linked rebels kill 66 in Eastern DR Congo
Breaking News Live Updates: IS-linked rebels kill 66 in Eastern DR Congo

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Breaking News Live Updates: IS-linked rebels kill 66 in Eastern DR Congo

01:51 (IST) Jul 13 Assam is set to establish a new medical college and hospital in Darrang district, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Saturday. Sarma visited the proposed site in Punia, Darrang, confirming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project on September 8. During his visit, PM Modi is also likely to inaugurate the Narengi-Kurua bridge over the Brahmaputra River and the Guwahati Ring Road project from the same location. These initiatives are part of development projects totaling nearly Rs 8,000 crore slated for launch from Punia. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted that Darrang, despite its elevation to district status, previously lacked such vital infrastructure. He emphasised that the new medical college, a bypass, and other upcoming initiatives will bring significant transformation to the district. Sarma urged local residents for their cooperate to ensure timely project implementation. The government is also considering a medical college in Udalguri district and has issued directives to minimise tree felling at the proposed site, opting for relocation and replanting instead. PM Modi's September 8 visit will also include a program at Numaligarh and his participation in the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.

Youth power, country's greatest capital: PM Modi's message to new appointees
Youth power, country's greatest capital: PM Modi's message to new appointees

United News of India

time2 hours ago

  • United News of India

Youth power, country's greatest capital: PM Modi's message to new appointees

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Emphasising the unmatched strengths of "India's demographic and democratic foundations", Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that youth power is country's greatest capital, and the government is steadfast in its efforts to convert this capital into a catalyst for long-term prosperity. "India, with the world's largest youth population and the largest democracy, holds unique potential to shape the future both domestically and on the global stage. This vast youth power is India's greatest capital, and the government is steadfast in its efforts to convert this capital into a catalyst for long-term prosperity," he said while addressing the Rozgar Mela and distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various Government departments and organisations via videoconferencing here. Addressing the gathering, he emphasised that today marks the beginning of new responsibilities for these youth in different departments of the Government of India. He congratulated the young individuals on beginning their service in various departments, saying that despite different roles, their common goal is national service, guided by the principle of 'Citizen First.' The Prime Minister also emphasised the "unmatched strengths of India's demographic and democratic foundations." 'Just two days ago, I returned from a visit to five countries. In every nation I visited, the strength of India's youth echoed strongly. The agreements signed during this tour will benefit Indian youth both within the country and abroad,' Modi said. He further said that various agreements signed during this tour on critical sectors such as defence, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy and rare earth minerals will create far-reaching benefits. 'These initiatives will not only strengthen India's global economic standing but also generate meaningful opportunities for young Indians in both manufacturing and services,' he said. Addressing the evolving landscape of employment, the Prime Minister highlighted that the nature of jobs is undergoing rapid transformation in the 21st century. Emphasising the importance of innovation, startups and research, he spoke of the growing ecosystem in India that empowers young people to dream big. He shared his personal pride and confidence in the new generation, expressing joy at seeing youth stepping forward with ambition, vision and a strong desire to create something new. Stating that his government is also focusing on creating new employment opportunities in the private sector, he said that the government has approved a new scheme called the "Employment Linked Incentive Scheme". Under this scheme, the government will provide Rs 15,000 to young individuals who get their first job in the private sector, he informed. 'In other words, the government will contribute to the first salary of their first job. For this, the government has allocated a budget of approximately Rs one lakh crore. This scheme is expected to help in the creation of about 3.5 crore new jobs,' Modi added. The Prime Minister stressed on the transformative power of India's manufacturing sector in driving national growth, generating employment and accelerating India's journey towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. The Prime Minister noted that in recent years, there has been significant strengthening of the 'Make in India' initiative. Through the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme alone, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created across the country. 'Today, electronics manufacturing in India is worth nearly Rs 11 lakh crore, marking more than a fivefold increase over the past 11 years. Earlier, there were only two to four units manufacturing mobile phones in the country. Today, India is home to nearly 300 units related to mobile phone manufacturing, employing lakhs of young people,' he stated. The Prime Minister also spoke of India's rise as a global leader in defence manufacturing, with output exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Modi praised India's emergence as the largest locomotive producer in the world, and the country's strong export performance in locomotives, rail coaches and metro coaches. The automobile sector, he added, has attracted USD 40 billion in FDI in just five years, resulting in new factories, new job opportunities, and record vehicle sales. The Prime Minister underscored the far-reaching impact of India's welfare initiatives, citing a recent International Labour Organisation (ILO) report that confirms that over 90 crore Indian citizens have been covered under government welfare schemes over the past decade. These schemes, he noted, are not limited to welfare benefits alone but have played a crucial role in generating large-scale employment, particularly in rural India. The Prime Minister elaborated on flagship programmes such as the PM Awas Yojana, under which four crore permanent houses have been built and three crore more are under construction. 'The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which offers over Rs 75,000 per household for rooftop solar installations, is reducing household electricity bills and creating job opportunities for technicians, engineers, and solar panel manufacturers. Namo Drone Didi has empowered rural women by training them as drone pilots,' Modi added. The Prime Minister pointed that the country is also progressing with its mission to create three crore Lakhpati Didis, and 1.5 crore women have already achieved this milestone. Listing out various schemes like Bank Sakhi, Bima Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi that have enabled women to find sustainable employment, he mentioned that the PM SVANidhi scheme has extended formal assistance to street vendors and hawkers, bringing millions into mainstream economic activity. The Prime Minister emphasised that it is the impact of these numerous schemes that, in just the past 10 years, 25 crore people have come out of poverty. 'Without employment opportunities, such a transformation would not have been possible. This is why today, major global institutions like the World Bank are praising India. India is now being counted among the top nations in the world with the highest levels of equality,' Modi stated. The Prime Minister described the current phase as a Mahayagya of development, a national mission dedicated to poverty eradication and employment generation and called on the country's youth and new government appointees to take this mission forward with renewed energy and dedication. The Prime Minister also invoked the guiding ethos of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' of treating every citizen as divine and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the new appointees for a bright and meaningful future in public service. UNI AAB ARN SS

Haryana CM urges citizens to avail benefits of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Haryana CM urges citizens to avail benefits of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

India Gazette

time2 hours ago

  • India Gazette

Haryana CM urges citizens to avail benefits of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Kaithal (Haryana) [India], July 12 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the government has set a target of installing 2 kW solar systems free of cost on the rooftops of 1 lakh Antyodaya families across the state. Once the target of 1 lakh installations is achieved, an additional 1 lakh families will be included in the next phase of the scheme, the CM said. So far, 26,000 families have availed the benefits of this scheme, including 1,707 families in Kaithal district alone, according to an official statement from the state government. The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the public in Peoda village, Kaithal district, where he had arrived to attend a program organized under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 21 lakh for development works in the village. During his visit, CM Saini inspected a solar rooftop system installed at the residence of a scheme beneficiary and interacted with the family to understand the benefits they are receiving. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted that the scheme was launched in Haryana from Kaithal district, and he was pleased to personally witness its successful implementation. He said that the solar rooftop systems are not only promoting green energy but are also significantly reducing electricity bills for the people. He urged the people to come forward and take maximum advantage of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to minimize their electricity expenses. The Chief Minister added that both the Central and State Governments are providing subsidies for installing solar systems for families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh. This has helped thousands of households reduce their dependency on conventional electricity and gain relief from hefty power bills. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conceptualizing and launching this people-centric scheme, and congratulated all beneficiaries who have already availed its benefits. Saini also highlighted the success of the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon Yojana, under which more than 5,800 out of 6,500 villages in the state are now receiving 24-hour electricity supply. He encouraged residents of the remaining villages to come forward and enroll under this scheme. Saini said, 'prior to 2014, the government arbitrarily imposed surcharges on electricity bills, which led to significantly higher costs for consumers. Current government has provided substantial relief to consumers by waiving surcharges.' He appealed to the citizens to actively participate in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. (ANI)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store