MNRE Directs Renewable Energy Agencies To Ensure Transparency And Compliance In Procurement Processes

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, has issued an advisory urging strict compliance with rules and regulations in the procurement of goods and services. The advisory follows recent observations that some government agencies in the renewable energy sector have released bids with very short submission windows, in some cases as little as seven days, during August 2025. The ministry noted that such actions appear to be attempts to bypass the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandate for solar cells, which is a key policy requirement of MNRE.

The ministry has reminded all Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs), Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and other government tender-issuing organizations that they must strictly follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). These regulations are designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and financial propriety in all public procurement processes.

MNRE emphasized that any deviation from these norms, including issuing tenders with inadequate time for bid submission, undermines the integrity of the bidding process. Such practices not only restrict competition but also go against the government’s principles of transparency and equal opportunity for all potential bidders.

The ministry has directed all concerned agencies to ensure that their procurement processes fully comply with the General Financial Rules (GFR) and CVC guidelines. It has also been advised that any tenders already issued with short bidding timelines and not in compliance with the existing procurement norms should be scrapped if necessary. New bids may then be issued in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures.

Furthermore, MNRE has instructed that all agencies report back on the actions taken in this regard within 15 days. The advisory has been issued with the approval of the competent authority, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining transparency, accountability, and fairness in renewable energy procurement practices.