22-04-2025
Three-member panel to probe Anert corruption allegation
The government has ordered an investigation by a three-member committee into the allegations of corruption in energy schemes implemented by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) for the tribespeople of Attappady.
The investigation will be headed by a joint secretary of the power department. Energy Management Centre director and a deputy chief engineer of Renewable Energy and Energy Savings (REES) of the Kerala State Electricity Board are the other members.
The allegations are against Anert's chief executive officer Narendranath Veluri and additional chief secretary K.R. Jyothilal. The officers conducting the investigation are junior to them.
The inquiry report should be submitted to the government within two weeks.
Allegations of corruption were raised against the officers in connection with a ₹6.35-crore solar-wind hybrid energy project implemented for the tribespeople of Lower Thudikki, Upper Thudikki, Galasi and Ooradam hamlets. They are the remotest hamlets in the Attappady tribal taluk.
The Auditor General (AG) uncovered irregularities in the tendering process for the project awarded to WindStream Energy Technologies, a Telangana-based company, citing violations of norms.
Most installations done in those hamlets by the ANERT were not functional.
