Tamil Nadu government cancels smart meter tender given to Adani Energy Solutions; Know why

Tamil Nadu: BSE-listed company AESL had placed the lowest bid for Package 1 of the tender covering eight districts including Chennai and included the work of installing more than 82 lakh smart meters. Now the tender has been canceled. Let's know about this in detail.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 03:32 PM (IST)
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Tamil Nadu government cancels smart meter tender given to Adani Energy Solutions; Know why
Tamil Nadu government cancels smart meter tender given to Adani Energy Solutions; Know why

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Corporation has canceled the global tender issued to purchase smart meters citing the high cost quoted by Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL). In August 2023, tenders were issued in the form of four packages to provide smart meters under the Central Government's Reset Distribution Area Scheme.

According to Amar Ujala, BSE-listed company AESL had placed the lowest bid for Package 1 of the tender covering eight districts including Chennai, including the work of installing more than 82 lakh smart meters.

The tender was canceled on December 27, 2024, as the cost quoted by AESL was reportedly high. Further added that a re-tender is likely to be issued. Tenders for three other packages have been called off too, without elaborating further.

The government has taken the move in connection with a controversy involving industrialist Gautam Adani, promoter of Adani Group, accused in a scheme of paying off bribes amounting to over US$ 250 million (about Rs. 2,100 crores) to Indian officials in exchange for favorable terms in solar panel contracts. US prosecutors had charged, among others, Adani in connection with the incident. The company has denied accusations.

Muskan Kumawat Journalist & Writer