India dismisses state-run clean energy agency chairman

The Indian government has immediately removed the chairman of Solar Energy Corp of India, SECI, from his position, according to a federal notice published on Saturday. This was just a little over a week before the end of the chairman's tenure.

In June 2023 the former SECI head, who was formerly India's top environment minister, was appointed SECI Chairman. His tenure was due to end next month.

The government has not given a reason why Rameshwar Prasad Gupta was dismissed. Gupta declined comment.

SECI barred Reliance Power, an Indian company, from participating in competitive bids for renewable energy project during Gupta’s tenure. The SECI retracted the order in December, a month after it was issued. This was due to a court's directive.

SECI was also criticized last year over a solar agreement signed by SECI with billionaire Gautam Adiani before Gupta took the chairmanship.

Adani, along with seven other executives, were indicted by U.S. prosecutors in November over alleged involvement in an alleged bribery scheme and securities fraud. Adani denied that the allegations were false, and SECI also denied any wrongdoing.

He announced SECI's intention to go public last year, but said that the company had not yet made a decision on the size. (Reporting from Sudarshan Varadhan and Sarita Chagaanti Singh)

(source: Reuters)