**Union Government Appoints Santosh Kumar Sarangi as CMD of SECI**
The Union government has appointed Santosh Kumar Sarangi, the secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). This decision follows the removal of Rameshwar Prasad Gupta from the position just a month before the end of his tenure. The opposition Congress party has raised concerns, suggesting that Gupta’s dismissal is linked to the Adani Group’s recent indictment in the United States over alleged bribery charges.
Sarangi’s appointment is effective immediately, and he will serve in this role until a regular successor is appointed or until further notice, as stated in a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training. Sarangi, an IAS officer from the 1994 batch of Odisha, was appointed as the secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy last month, following his previous role as the Director General of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Department of Personnel and Training issued a notification on Saturday announcing Gupta’s termination as CMD of SECI, but did not provide any reasons for this decision. The abrupt removal has drawn criticism from the Congress party, with General Secretary Jairam Ramesh describing it as an attempt to obscure the alleged corruption linked to the Adani Group.
Ramesh highlighted that the SECI was implicated in a US indictment against Gautam Adani and his associates, which alleged that bribes amounting to ₹2,029 crore were offered to Indian government officials in exchange for power purchase agreements. He pointed out that SECI had altered its tendering process in December 2024, which he interpreted as an acknowledgment of corruption.
Despite the ongoing controversies, the Indian government has not yet responded to requests from the US Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a summons for Adani and other accused parties. Ramesh emphasized that efforts to conceal the so-called “Modani MegaScam” are unlikely to succeed.
The Adani Group and SECI have not yet responded to inquiries regarding these developments. The state-run SECI has recently faced scrutiny due to its involvement in the SEC’s indictment of the Adani Group, which alleges bribery of approximately $250 million to secure solar energy project agreements.
**FAQ**
*What is the significance of Santosh Kumar Sarangi’s appointment as CMD of SECI?*
Santosh Kumar Sarangi’s appointment is significant as it comes during a period of controversy surrounding the SECI and the Adani Group, potentially impacting the future direction of solar energy projects in India.