Sun Jul 13 15:23:58 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) of widespread corruption and irregularities in the implementation of solar power projects under the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project, which is fully funded by the central government, and the PM KUSUM scheme. Chennithala alleges significant price discrepancies in similar solar projects, questionable appointments within Anert, and implicates Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and the Anert CEO. He demands a forensic audit and legislative inquiry into the matter.
**News Article:**
**Congress Leader Alleges Massive Corruption in Thiruvananthapuram Solar Projects**
**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, July 13, 2025** – Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has leveled serious allegations of corruption and financial irregularities against the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) concerning the implementation of solar power projects within the Thiruvananthapuram Smart City initiative.
Chennithala claims rampant irregularities were found in the solar projects by Anert, which is funded by central government. He demands a forensic audit of Anert’s finances over the past five years, along with a simultaneous probe by a committee of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly.
The Congress leader cited several instances of significant price discrepancies between comparable solar projects implemented by different private firms. For example, a 60 kW solar project at the Directorate of Technical Education cost ₹38.39 lakh, while a similar project at the Institute of Land and Disaster Management, implemented just eight months later, cost only ₹25.2 lakh.
Chennithala also raised concerns about inflated costs in the PM KUSUM scheme, citing that 10 kW solar plant installed at Family Health Centre, Vizhinjam with a guarantee period of ten years cost ₹4.99 lakh, while a 10 kW solar rooftop model under PM KUSUM costs ₹7.13 lakh with warranty of seven years.
Adding to the controversy, Chennithala pointed to a questionable appointment within Anert, involving the former executive assistant of Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri. He alleges this individual was employed by a major consultant of Anert at a high salary, only to be reassigned to Anert on deputation the very next day.
Chennithala directly implicated Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri in the alleged corruption. He is demanding a clarification from the Minister regarding these allegations.
The Minister was unavailable for comment. This latest accusation follows Chennithala’s earlier demand for an investigation into alleged irregularities in a ₹240 crore tender for solar pumps under the PM Kusum scheme. The investigations are underway.
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