Thiruvananthapuram, July 25 (Reporter) 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...////...