Ramesh Chennithala Files Complaint Over Rs 100 Crore Corruption

Congress MLA and former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has formally lodged a complaint with the vigilance director, seeking an extensive investigation into alleged corruption involving approximately Rs 100 crore. This case pertains to the public sector institution Anert and the P M Kusum project, which aims to provide free solar pumps to farmers in Kerala.

Chennithala’s complaint outlines various irregularities in the project’s tender procedures from its inception. He claims to possess substantial evidence supporting his allegations, emphasizing that these issues require immediate attention. The Chief Executive Officer of Anert has been identified as the primary accused.

Details of the Allegations

According to Chennithala, the total financial loss incurred by the government can only be established through a comprehensive investigation. He stated, “More culprits involved in the illegal transactions can only be identified through a thorough investigation. Additionally, there are various irregularities in the project’s implementation.” He accused the Anert of violating guidelines set forth by the Government of India, which he claims is evident in the project’s documentation.

One of the critical points raised in the complaint is that the Anert CEO called for tenders worth Rs 240 crore, despite only being eligible to call tenders up to Rs 5 crore. The first tender, issued on August 10, 2022, marked the beginning of the alleged misconduct. Chennithala noted significant discrepancies when the company Athithi Solar, which had offered the lowest bid, withdrew its proposal. He pointed out that typically, a company’s deposit is forfeited in such cases, but this did not occur here.

The complaint further states that efforts were made to prevent companies from incurring losses even when the first contract was cancelled improperly. The second tender, which was accepted, was reportedly awarded at an amount up to 145% higher than the initial contract, set by the central government.

Call for Action

Chennithala claims that even after retendering, there were deliberate efforts to select Tata Solar, disregarding a lower quote from Qantas Automation. He highlighted that temporary staff were allegedly involved in altering amounts in the electronic tendering process. This raises serious concerns about the integrity of the tendering system.

In light of these allegations, Chennithala has requested that a formal case be registered against the accused officials. He underscored the necessity for a fair investigation to uphold the rule of law and justice, thereby preventing the embezzlement of public funds through fraudulent means.

The outcome of this complaint could have significant implications for the governance of public projects in Kerala, particularly in terms of transparency and accountability. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the stakeholders involved.