Latest news with #ANERT
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Nod for Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster project in Kerala
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has given the go-ahead for a Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) in Kerala. The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), which proposed the project, said the HVIC is one of only four projects selected nationally, and the only one led by a State government agency in south India. MNRE has issued the administrative approval and sanction for the project. It has been cleared under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) on the basis of recommendations made by the Expert Panel Committee (EPC) formed by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the Green Hydrogen Cell (GH2 Cell) of ANERT said. A hydrogen valley is a geographical region where the production of hydrogen, its storage, distribution, and use are integrated through pilot and demonstration projects. The HVIC project is aimed at 'building a local hydrogen ecosystem by connecting supply and demand across sectors like transport, industry, and energy, while also fostering research, innovation, and skills,' the GH2 Cell, ANERT, said. Key features of the HVIC project in Kerala include green hydrogen refuelling stations in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, pilot and demonstration projects in land and water transport and industrial sectors in addition to infrastructure such as electrolyser banks for green hydrogen production, hydrogen compression and storage. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Hydrogen Valleys serve as scalable, replicable hubs to accelerate India's clean hydrogen economy, ANERT said. For Kerala's HVIC project estimated to cost ₹133.18 crore, MNRE has approved a Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of ₹53.40 crore under NGHM. It has sanctioned the first tranche of ₹21.36 crore (40%), to be released to the not-for-profit company formed by ANERT for the purpose.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Kerala Power Department a syndicate of corruption: Ramesh Chennithala
Thiruvananthapuram, July 25 (UNI) Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged that the Kerala Power Department took a loan of Rs 175 crore from NABARD under the guise of a solar project to facilitate corruption, with the support of a secretive group within ANERT. In a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, AICC Working Committee member Chennithala said the Power Department has become a 'syndicate of corruption' operating with borrowed funds. The former Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly also demanded a forensic audit and a Legislative Committee probe into a major corruption scandal worth over Rs 100 crore in ANERT, a public sector institution, related to the Central Government's PM-KUSUM scheme- intended to provide farmers with free solar-powered pumps. "Simultaneously, due to the failure to utilize funds allocated by the Centre under the KUSUM scheme, the government was forced to return unutilized amounts. Irregularities worth crores have also occurred in the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project—not just in the KUSUM scheme," he pointed out. Chennithala alleged that the ANERT CEO, who is only authorized to issue tenders up to Rs 5 crore, issued a tender worth Rs 240 crore for the project. "Despite my repeated demands, the Power Minister has refused to clarify who approved this tender. It is impossible for such a large tender to proceed without the minister's knowledge. The circumstances behind this approval must be made public," he said. He also noted that the first tender—which had a lower quoted amount- was cancelled, and a second tender was floated. "The reason for cancelling the first tender needs to be disclosed," he demanded. "The second tender received quotes up to 145% higher than the base price fixed by the Centre. This must be explained. Contracts were awarded at amounts higher than several of the submitted bids," he added. Even after the tenders were opened, modifications were made—serious procedural violations, Chennithala alleged. "These actions were carried out by the CEO in collusion with a temporary employee close to him. It must be investigated on whose instructions this was done." He also pointed to irregularities in consultancy appointments. "The government has a clear protocol for appointing consultancy firms. But ANERT blatantly violated these rules. A temporary employee at ANERT was appointed—on special recommendation—in a consulting firm (EY), in a manner reminiscent of the Swapna Suresh model." "Based on the CEO's recommendation, this individual resigned from ANERT and was immediately reappointed as a consultant to ANERT by EY, as confirmed by an email from the firm. These are unheard-of and highly irregular practices." Chennithala claimed that a secret group consisting of temporary employees and EY consultants operated in coordination with the ANERT CEO, bypassing the institution's Finance Department. "Such massive irregularities would not have been possible without the full backing of the Power Minister." "The CEO acted far beyond his official jurisdiction. Sensitive matters like the opening of tenders were handled entirely by temporary staff and the consulting firm EY, sidelining the Finance Department. It is evident that these actions were taken with the intent to commit corruption," he said. "Yet, the Power Minister has not even had the decency to suspend the ANERT CEO or order a proper investigation. It is now clear beyond doubt that the Power Minister himself is involved in this corruption." "Since the department refuses to initiate an inquiry, I urge the Chief Minister to personally intervene and take strong action." "We have learned through media reports that the Finance Department conducted a 'lightning inspection' at ANERT. This is nothing but a mockery. Such token actions cannot cover up the serious irregularities committed." Chennithala demanded that all transactions carried out by ANERT over the past five years be subjected to a forensic audit by an independent agency. "The Legislative Committee must also be entrusted with an inquiry. Only then can the full extent of the corruption be revealed. Despite the government's financial constraints, the Power Department took a ₹175 crore loan from NABARD to facilitate this corruption," his letter said. "I hope you will act swiftly and take the necessary steps in this matter. The ANERT CEO should be suspended immediately, and all transactions must be reviewed and subjected to a forensic audit," he concluded. UNI DS RKM
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘ANERT corruption linked to illegal appointment', says Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday said the alleged corruption in ANERT had links with an illegal appointment there. Chennithala had recently demanded a comprehensive probe into alleged irregularities in the Rs 240-crore tender floated for installing solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme. The former Leader of Opposition said the executive assistant of ANERT was hired by a consultancy firm illegally. The firm hired him at a high salary and deputed him to ANERT as the CEO's executive assistant. The person had earlier assisted the CEO in the procedures to appoint the firm as ANERT's consultant, Chennithala said. 'This shows how the firm got the consultancy contract,' he said. Further, Chennithala said ANERT receives funds worth crores from the Union and state governments. 'None of the ANERT staff has a role in the tender procedures to spend these funds. Either temporary staffers or private consultancy firms are involved in such procedures,' he said.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala demands investigation into PM-KUSUM tender
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.'
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala alleges Rs 240 crore irregularities in ANERT solar pump tender
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday demanded a comprehensive probe into alleged irregularities in the Rs 240-crore tender for the installation of solar pumps under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. Chennithala released a set of documents that point to serious violations in the tendering process managed by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT). He alleged that the tender was illegally issued by the ANERT CEO, who is only authorised to sanction tenders up to Rs 5 questioned how a Rs 240-crore tender was floated without written approval from the government. He claimed that the entire tender process was flawed and pointed out that a company named Kondass Automation was allowed to make corrections after the tender was submitted, an act he said was highly irregular. 'How can changes be allowed after the tender is opened?' he asked. According to Chennithala, most of the contracts were awarded at more than double the benchmark rate fixed by the central government for solar pump installations. 'There is a difference of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per unit in contracts for systems ranging from two kW to 10 kW. This inflated the total project cost by around Rs 100 crore,' he said, adding that the project is being funded by a Rs 175-crore loan from NABARD. He also raised concerns about the grading system used to select companies for implementation. Power Minister K Krishnankutty has directed the power department additional chief secretary to conduct a probe into the allegations.
