Hyderabad: Alleging financial mismanagement, commission-driven contracts, and corruption in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded an independent investigation into the alleged ₹10,000-crore scam and warned that the BRS would intensify its agitation to protect workers’ rights and prevent privatisation of the public sector enterprise.Addressing the Singareni ‘Karmika Garjana’ public meeting organised by the BRS at Godavarikhani, KTR alleged serious irregularities in the Naini coal block tenders, site visit certificates, opencast mine contracts, machinery procurement and other operations. He demanded a probe by the CBI or a sitting judge and questioned why the Centre had failed to initiate an independent investigation despite the serious allegations.Referring to claims that cancellation of the Naini tenders had saved ₹30,000 crore, KTR asked who had allegedly sought to benefit from the deal and why the tender process had been repeatedly delayed. He alleged that the site visit certificate system was being misused and that tender decisions were benefiting contractors at the expense of Singareni. He also alleged that the state govt was trying to privatise the SCCL like its plans to sell 26% of the stake in state power utilities.He accused the Congress govt of failing to safeguard the company’s financial interests. The BRS leader claimed that ₹6,317 crore had been diverted over two financial years and alleged that approximately 40 lakh metric tonnes of coal had gone missing. He demanded a comprehensive audit of the company’s accounts and disclosure of coal production, stock and transportation records.He further claimed that Singareni was owed nearly ₹60,000 crore by the state govt and demanded immediate clearance of the outstanding dues. He alleged that delayed payments were affecting the company’s operations and its ability to maintain essential mining equipment.KTR strongly defended Singareni workers, accusing the Congress govt of failing to honour its commitments on profit-sharing benefits.“During the BRS govt, Singareni profit share had increased from 16% to 32% and demanded the release of their rightful share, bonuses and other pending benefits. He also called for the speedy resolution of issues concerning dependent employment, medical boards and land pattas.”“If the govt fails to release the workers’ rightful profit share and bonus, we will lay siege to the residences of Congress MLAs and ministers,” KTR warned.Accusing both the Congress govt in Telangana and the BJP-led central govt of failing to protect public sector interests, the BRS working president cautioned against attempts to privatise Singareni. He said the company was built on generations of miners’ sacrifices and must remain a public sector institution serving Telangana and its people.KTR declared that the BRS would continue its fight until the allegations of corruption were investigated, workers received their rightful benefits and Singareni’s future was secured. He called upon workers to unite against policies that threaten their livelihoods and the interests of the historic coal mining company.
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