Telangana Govt Announces Rs 596 Crore Bonus for Singareni Workers | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Sharing the profits of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to the its employees, the Telangana govt has announced Rs 596 crore bonanza for Singareni coal mine workers on the occasion of Dasara. Deputy CM and Energy minister Bhatti Vikramarka announced that each permanent employee of SCCL would receive an average profit-sharing amount of ₹1,53,912. In addition, 29,717 contract workers of Singareni would receive a bonus of ₹5,500 each.Addressing a media conference at Praja Bhavan on Tuesday, along with IT and Industries minister D Sridhar Babu, Vikramarka said that 38,737 permanent employees would benefit from the decision.Bhatti Vikramarka said the govt has decided to distribute 34% of Singareni’s profits among workers, continuing the practice followed in previous years. The company earned a net profit of ₹1,754 crore this year, of which ₹596 crore would be distributed among workers as their profit share.He said that the state govt was equally committed to the welfare of permanent employees and contract workers. The govt had paid a bonus of ₹5,500 to contract workers last year and had decided to continue the same amount this year.Explaining the reasons for decline in SCCL profits this time, the deputy CM said that several factors had contributed to the decline in Singareni’s profits compared with the previous year. He alleged that the previous BRS govt had failed to secure additional coal blocks during its ten-year tenure. He further alleged that Singareni had been prevented from participating in coal block auctions conducted by the Central Government, resulting in substantial losses to the company.He said Singareni had missed opportunities to participate in auctions involving approximately 141 coal blocks, restricting its business expansion. “Closure of some existing coal blocks had also affected production and revenue. With around 14 blocks having closed, he stressed the need to secure new blocks to replace them,” he said.Vikramarka said the state govt was determined to fulfil the long-cherished dream of Singareni employees and workers to own houses. He recalled that, out of 5,774 acres returned by Singareni to the revenue department, 4,500 acres had been distributed as house-site pattas to the poor during the previous Congress government under the late CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.He said the Singareni management had been directed to expedite the process of issuing house-site pattas to eligible beneficiaries for the remaining approximately 1,250 acres under Government Order No. 76.On pending dependent employment cases, the deputy CM said the pending formalities relating to approximately 250–300 dependent employment orders within the next 15 days and issue appointment orders to eligible candidates.To reduce inconvenience to workers seeking medical invalidation, Bhatti directed the management to conduct medical board meetings on designated days every month at all area hospitals within Singareni’s jurisdiction.Encroached Residential Areas to Be SurveyedBhatti Vikramarka said a committee comprising Singareni officials and the district collector would prepare a preliminary list of people living in occupied residential areas. After consultations with local MLAs and consideration of their views, a comprehensive list of eligible beneficiaries would be prepared. The entire process would be completed within a month, he said.He announced that officials would examine the possibility of allocating land from Singareni for establishing an agricultural research centre in the Bhupalpally assembly constituency. He also asked them to submit a report on the availability of unused hillock land belonging to the revenue department as an alternative.Vikramarka said that the Congress govt had taken steps to strengthen Singareni by focusing on acquiring new coal blocks. He referred to Tadicherla-II, Koyagudem Block-III, the Manuguru PK Open Cast-II dip-side block and Naini among the blocks being pursued as part of efforts to expand the company’s operations.Admitting the SCCL dues to various agencies had accumulated to approximately ₹29,000 crore over the previous ten years, while outstanding amounts associated with the period since the Congress govt assumed office had also remained substantial.He stated that the government was taking steps to ensure the gradual payment of amounts owed to Singareni by the Telangana Genco and TG Transco.Ends/