Irregularities and corruption in ANERT: Nine questions to Electricity Minister

KOZHIKODE: Ramesh Chennithala has asked nine questions to the Electricity Minister regarding irregularities and corruption in ANERT. At a press conference, Chennithala questioned Electricity Minister Krishnankutty's statement that there was no corruption and that the issues raised by Chennithala could be discussed. "This is a problem of people's tax money and corruption. It is not an issue that can be resolved by two people discussing it. There should be questions and answers in the presence of the public. The figures and evidence should be placed before the public."

Did the Minister know?

1. Did the CEO of ANERT, who is allowed to call tenders up to Rs. 5 crore, take special permission from the minister or the department to call a tender of Rs. 240 crore? If not, why was no action taken?
2. The CEO says that the company that was selected by registering the lowest price in the first bidding sent an email stating that it was withdrawing. Has this email been submitted to the department? Has the department been informed about the cancellation of the first tender of Rs. 240 crore?
3. The tender condition was that the maximum capacity of the power plant allowed to the companies was determined according to the grading rate. On whose instructions was this violated and orders were given to all companies to establish power plants of all capacities?
4. Orders have been given to many companies for a higher amount than what was submitted in the tender. The tender has been corrected after opening. Orders have also been given to those who did not comply with the conditions. Isn't this a blatant violation of the tender conditions...?
5. Why was the decision taken by the ANERT Executive Committee in 2021 to fix the base price for solar plants not implemented?
6. How much money was spent from the subsidy advance received from the central government for the project? How much money was recovered by the centre..? Why could the amount received not be spent...?
7. What steps were taken to reduce the rates quoted by the companies in the tender?. How much amount was reduced in each category?
8. Did the CEO request that the temporary employee who resigned and joined EY while holding the duties of e-tender creator and opener in ANERT be given the duties of assisting in tenders? Can the details of the orders given to appoint various consultancies in ANERT in the last three years and the amount spent on them be made available?
9. If the minister's hands are clean, does he have the courage to subject the entire transactions of the last five years in ANERT to a forensic audit..?