Kishan Reddy accuses BRS, Congress of pushing Singareni into financial crisis
Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday accused both the previous BRS government and the current Congress-led administration of financially crippling the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He alleged large-scale corruption and mismanagement in both governments, which, according to him, have contributed to the Singareni financial crisis.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Reddy said SCCL has been burdened with a debt of nearly ₹47,000 crore. The company is struggling to meet basic obligations like employee salaries amid the ongoing Singareni financial crisis. He claimed the Telangana government owes ₹32,000 crore to the company. Moreover, he alleged that decisions under the BRS regime were driven by the personal interests of the former Chief Minister’s family.
Union Minister flags irregularities in coal block tenders
Reddy also cited the Naini coal block issue, alleging that the tendering process was deliberately manipulated and worsened by the Singareni financial crisis. He said the mandatory requirement of a ‘Site Visit Certificate’ led to delays and corruption. “Site visits are usually self-declared. Making it compulsory here has stalled coal extraction,” he stated.
On the demand for a CBI probe into the coal block issue, he clarified that only the state government can grant permission for such an inquiry. “Some people speak without knowing the facts. Where was BRS when they were in power? Didn’t they know the Centre held a 49% stake? Didn’t they act to benefit select companies?” he questioned. Furthermore, ongoing debate surrounds the Singareni financial crisis and accountability for the situation.
Reddy further alleged that Singareni was being forced to sell lower-grade coal (58% quality) at inflated rates ₹4,088 per tonne for G11 grade—compared to Coal India’s ₹1,605. He attributed the pricing to exploitation by the state.
He warned that ongoing corruption, land encroachments, and irregularities under both BRS and Congress governments threaten Singareni’s future. These issues also endanger workers’ welfare.