New Delhi (11.05.2025): The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) sacked Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (Retd IAS: 1987: GJ), the outgoing Chairman of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) with immediate effect. Gupta’s terms of service were terminated merely thirty-four days ahead of the scheduled end of his tenure.
The decision follows SECI's controversial decisions on tendering. During R P Gupta's tenure, SECI had barred India's Reliance Power from participating in competitive tenders for renewable energy projects. It withdrew the order a month later in December after a court directive. Sources say that SECI also faced scrutiny over a solar deal pertaining to Azure though SECI denied any wrongdoing during the period.
R P Gupta was appointed SECI chairman June 15, 2023, and was scheduled to complete his tenure as SECI Chairman on June 14, 2025. The Centre had accorded SECI “Navratna” status in August last year.
The timing of termination has raised curiosity across sections. A section of insiders says that apparently, it signifies that the establishment wants to fix the accountability thus the possibility of disciplinary proceedings post-termination can’t be ruled out.
Centre sacks SECI Chairman with immediate effect; timing evokes curiosity
By IndianMandarins - 2025-05-11 13:55:00
New Delhi (11.05.2025): The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) sacked Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (Retd IAS: 1987: GJ), the outgoing Chairman of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) with immediate effect. Gupta’s terms of service were terminated merely thirty-four days ahead of the scheduled end of his tenure.
The decision follows SECI's controversial decisions on tendering. During R P Gupta's tenure, SECI had barred India's Reliance Power from participating in competitive tenders for renewable energy projects. It withdrew the order a month later in December after a court directive. Sources say that SECI also faced scrutiny over a solar deal pertaining to Azure though SECI denied any wrongdoing during the period.
R P Gupta was appointed SECI chairman June 15, 2023, and was scheduled to complete his tenure as SECI Chairman on June 14, 2025. The Centre had accorded SECI “Navratna” status in August last year.
The timing of termination has raised curiosity across sections. A section of insiders says that apparently, it signifies that the establishment wants to fix the accountability thus the possibility of disciplinary proceedings post-termination can’t be ruled out.
