The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has abruptly removed Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (Retd. IAS: 1987: GJ), Chairman of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), with immediate effect—just 34 days before his scheduled retirement.
Gupta, who was appointed SECI Chairman on June 15, 2023, was set to complete his tenure on June 14, 2025. His sudden dismissal has raised eyebrows across policy and energy circles, particularly due to the timing and the surrounding context.
The decision comes in the wake of contentious actions by SECI under Gupta’s leadership. Notably, SECI had barred Reliance Power from participating in renewable energy tenders—a move that was reversed a month later in December following a court order. Sources also indicate scrutiny around a solar deal involving Azure Power, although SECI officially denied any irregularities at the time.
SECI was granted “Navratna” status in August last year, marking a milestone in its institutional evolution.
The abrupt nature of Gupta’s termination has triggered speculation. Insiders suggest the move could be aimed at establishing accountability, hinting that disciplinary proceedings post-termination may be on the table. The true implications of this decision are likely to unfold in the coming weeks.
