Hyderabad: BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao on Tuesday called on Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy to order a CBI investigation into all tenders and policy decisions made by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) after 2024. Harish Rao seeks CBI probe into these matters for greater transparency and accountability.
Harish Rao disclosed the contents of his letter to the Union Minister during a press briefing at Telangana Bhavan. This happened shortly before appearing before the SIT. Notably, Harish Rao seeks CBI probe into the recent policy changes and tender processes.
Allegations of inflated contracts and policy manipulation
The BRS leader alleged that SCCL introduced a mandatory site visit certificate for bidders—a condition he said was unprecedented and not followed by Coal India Limited. After this requirement was imposed, many tenders were cancelled. Later, they were awarded at prices 7% to 10% above the expected rates. Rao pointed out that across India, OB coal block contracts are typically granted at prices 10% to 22% below estimates. In light of these irregularities, Harish Rao seeks CBI probe to address concerns about inflated awards.
He stated that historically, SCCL awarded contracts at significantly lower rates often 7%, 8%, or even 20% below estimates. However, the new pattern of cancellation followed by inflated re-awards, he said, appeared to be a deliberate strategy to bypass competition. As a result, this caused major financial losses for the company.
Harish Rao also criticised the termination of SCCL’s practice of purchasing diesel in bulk from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). Instead, contractors were made responsible for diesel procurement, which he said raised project costs and introduced an avoidable GST burden.
“These decisions lack transparency and suggest manipulation for commission gains,” Rao said. He added that central government-nominated directors on the SCCL Board had remained silent, despite being responsible for safeguarding the company. As the issue escalates, Harish Rao seeks CBI probe for a thorough investigation into the role of these directors and others involved.
He further noted that SCCL has operated without a full-time Chairman and Managing Director for two years. A CBI investigation, he said, is essential to determine the legality and intent behind the policy shifts. It is also needed for probing inflated tenders, diesel procurement changes, and any collusion among political leaders, contractors, SCCL officials, and board members.
కాంగ్రెస్ ప్రభుత్వం చేసిన బొగ్గు కుంభకోణంపై సీబీఐ విచారణ జరపాలంటూ కేంద్రమంత్రి @kishanreddybjp కి లేఖ రాసిన మాజీ మంత్రి, ఎమ్మెల్యే @BRSHarish
సిట్ విచారణకు హాజరయ్యే ముందు మీడియా సాక్షిగా లేఖను విడుదల చేసిన హరీష్ రావు. pic.twitter.com/CZxzjFQOOS
— BRS Party (@BRSparty) January 20, 2026