Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Minister Sunny Joseph on Sunday said he understood the concerns of football fans over power outages during World Cup matches, but attributed the current power shortage to inadequate rainfall and low water levels in reservoirs.
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the government and the Kerala State Electricity Board had made efforts to avoid power cuts.
"I understand the concerns of people, especially football fans, at this time. We made every effort to avoid power cuts. However, the present situation is linked to weather conditions across the country and the impact of El Niño," he said.
The state power minister said unusually hot weather conditions had led to a sharp increase in electricity consumption across India.
According to him, Kerala had borrowed electricity from other states during March and April under agreements requiring the state to return the borrowed power from June 15 onwards, anticipating adequate rainfall and improved hydel power generation by then.
"So we have no other option but to return the borrowed electricity," he said.
Joseph said solar power is available only during the daytime, while the state is facing shortages during peak evening and nighttime demand.
"In June 2025, the water level in our reservoirs was 47 per cent. This year, it is only 21 per cent," he said.
The minister said efforts were underway to procure electricity from sources outside the state and that temporary power restrictions were being imposed to manage the shortage.
"Several states are even purchasing power during the daytime. We do not have to do that," he said.
Rejecting criticism against the government, Joseph said the return of electricity borrowed during March and April was a routine arrangement handled by the power utility and was not linked to any particular government.
"It is done by the electricity board. Which government is in power does not matter in this case. Kerala is in the monsoon season, but we have not received adequate rainfall," he said.
Responding to allegations regarding a Rs 3,500-crore smart meter project, the tender process for which was initiated before he assumed office, Joseph said no file relating to the matter had come before him.
"The tender was invited by the previous government, and the process has progressed. Whether there was any undue haste or violation of rules will be examined, and necessary action will be taken if required," he said.
KSEB, earlier in the day, denied news reports alleging irregularities in the smart meter project and maintained that the tender process was transparent and legally compliant.
In a statement, the KSEB said the second phase of the smart meter project was prepared in accordance with guidelines issued by the Union Finance Ministry, which made the installation of prepaid smart meters a mandatory condition for states to avail themselves of additional borrowing limits equivalent to 0.5 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The board said the state government had directed it to install 35 lakh prepaid smart meters and that the project was subsequently expanded to cover 50 lakh meters, including the replacement of existing meters and new connections over the next seven years.
KSEB said the project received government approval on January 5, 2026, following which the board granted administrative sanction of Rs 3,260 crore and floated an e-tender on January 17, 2026.
The state Cabinet approved the project on March 13, 2026.
According to the KSEB, 11 leading companies participated in the tender process.
"The technical bids were opened on May 15, 2026. Scrutiny of technical documents and laboratory testing of sample meters submitted by the bidders is underway. The financial bids of technically qualified bidders are expected to be opened in July 2026," the statement said.
KSEB alleged that attempts to link the tender process, which was initiated during the previous government's tenure, to the present administration were "malicious and politically motivated".
