Peddapalli: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe or an inquiry by a sitting judge into alleged irregularities worth Rs 10,000 crore at Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL).
Addressing the “Singareni Karmika Garjana” meeting of coal workers on Wednesday, October 14, Rama Rao accused Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of attempting to discredit the state-owned mining company and push it towards privatisation. The allegations were made by the BRS leader and have not been independently verified.
KTR Questions Coal Supply and Power Generation
Rama Rao alleged that the state government was blaming Singareni for coal and electricity shortages instead of addressing issues affecting the company.
He claimed that the 4,000 MW Yadadri thermal power station at Damaracherla, developed under the previous BRS government, was generating less than 400 MW because of inadequate coal supplies from Singareni.
The BRS leader also claimed that a party delegation had been told by Singareni management that the state government owed the company Rs 60,000 crore. This figure could not be independently verified from the information provided.
Rama Rao further alleged that 40 lakh tonnes of coal had gone missing and questioned the circumstances surrounding the reported shortage. He also claimed that BRS workers who sought access to coal stock records had been arrested.
He called for an investigation to establish the coal stock position and determine whether any irregularities had occurred.
Allegations Over Tender Procedures
Rama Rao also questioned the tendering process at Singareni, alleging that a “site visit certificate” requirement forced contractors to meet officials and ministers before participating in bids.
He accused Revanth Reddy and his brother-in-law, Sudhini Srujan Reddy, of being involved in the alleged arrangement. He further claimed that overburden removal tenders at the Srirampur opencast mine had been postponed seven times because the parties involved could not agree on commissions.
These claims remain allegations made by the BRS leader. No independently verified findings establishing the alleged wrongdoing were provided in the source material.
KTR Questions Centre’s Response
Rama Rao accused the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of working together on the issue and questioned why the Centre had not ordered an independent investigation, given its reported 49% stake in Singareni.
He said the BRS had approached Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy seeking a probe into the alleged missing coal. According to Rama Rao, the minister instead wrote to the Telangana Chief Minister asking the state government to examine the matter.
The BRS leader questioned whether the Centre’s response reflected an understanding with the state government.
Revanth Reddy and Srujan Reddy have previously rejected similar BRS allegations concerning government contracts.
Rama Rao reiterated his demand for an independent investigation, saying that a CBI probe or an inquiry led by a sitting judge was necessary to establish the facts surrounding the alleged financial irregularities and coal stock discrepancies at Singareni.
